Acute pancreatitis in children

What is acute pancreatitis in children?

Pancreas – long, flat, pear-shaped organ, located on the bottom of the stomach. This gland secretes enzymes, to help digest food and hormones, including insulin. Acute pancreatitis – Pancreatic inflammation, which arises.

Acute pancreatitis in children – the cause of the

The most common cause of pancreatitis in children is abdominal trauma.

Other causes include:

• Taking certain medications;
• Viral infections;
• Išemiâ: lack of blood supply of the pancreas.

Sometimes the cause of acute pancreatitis in children is unknown.

Risk factors of acute pancreatitis in children

Factors, that can increase the risk of acute pancreatitis in a child include:

• Taking certain medications;
• Specific viral infection;
• Congenital abnormalities of the pancreas;
• Hyperlipidemia – excess lipids (fat) in blood;
• Hypercalcemia – excess calcium in the blood;
• Mukovystsydoz.

Acute pancreatitis in children – symptoms

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis in a child can include:

• Swelling and pain in the abdomen;
• Back pain or pain in my left shoulder;
• Nausea and vomiting, vomited masses can be yellow, Green or brown;
• Loss of appetite;
• Fever.

Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in children

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history of the child, and perform a physical examination. Diagnosis can be assigned to blood tests.

To run pictures of the structures and organs of the abdominal cavity can be assigned the following procedures:

• Abdominal ultrasound;
• Contrast computed tomography;
• MRT.

Acute pancreatitis in children – treatment

Pancreatitis in a child can pass by itself. Supportive care may be necessary, If the child is observed frequent vomiting and decreased appetite. To make up for the loss of liquids and ensure proper nutrition, your doctor may recommend:

• Intravenous fluids;
• Parenteral nutrition, administered intravenously;
• Gavage.

For child support may be necessary to provide additional oxygen.

If the disease does not go away or becomes harder, the doctor will prescribe additional treatments, which include:

Changes in child nutrition in acute pancreatitis

Children's doctor may advise to change diet and drink plenty of fluids, which should contribute to the healing of the pancreas.

Reception of medicines for treatment of pancreatitis in a child

Children's doctor may advise taking the following medicines:

• Mild painkillers, otpuskaemыe without prescription (Ibuprofen, paracetamol);
• Analgesic, appointed by prescription;
• Antibiotics, If you encounter or possible infection;
• Antiemetic medicines.

Talk to your doctor about medicines, who takes a child. Some of them, perhaps, can be the cause of acute pancreatitis, and their admission should be discontinued.

Prevention of acute pancreatitis in children

If a child is found very high levels of triglycerides, consult with your doctor about treatment options, to reduce the risk of pancreatitis.