Chronic relapsing pancreatitis in childhood

J Pediatr. 1983 Apr;102(4):514-8. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(83)80176-0.

Abstract

We report 10 children with chronic relapsing pancreatitis. These patients can be divided into three groups, based on their clinical history, manifestations, and radiographic findings. Group 1 includes four patients with hereditary pancreatitis; these patients have had recurrent abdominal pain since early childhood, and have a positive family history for pancreatitis. Group 2 includes two patients with clinical and radiographic findings similar to those in patients with hereditary pancreatitis but without a family history of pancreatitis. Group 3 includes four patients with fibrosing pancreatitis who had symptoms and signs of obstructive jaundice. Our report emphasizes three points: (1) that chronic pancreatitis does occur in young children and is most commonly caused by hereditary pancreatitis or fibrosing pancreatitis; (2) that endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatiography is a safe and valuable tool for the study of pancreatic and common bile ducts; and (3) that surgical intervention is indicated to drain the pancreatic duct in patients with hereditary pancreatitis, and sphincterotomy is an effective therapy for patients with fibrosing pancreatitis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anal Canal / surgery
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
  • Cholelithiasis / complications
  • Cholestasis / complications
  • Chronic Disease
  • Common Bile Duct / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pancreatic Ducts / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Ducts / surgery
  • Pancreatitis* / genetics
  • Pancreatitis* / surgery
  • Recurrence