Learn About Childhood Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis in children, as in adults, occurs when the pancreas becomes swollen and inflamed.
The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach.
It produces chemicals called enzymes, which are needed to digest food. Most of the time, the enzymes are only active after they reach the small intestine.
When these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they digest the tissue of the pancreas. This causes swelling, bleeding and damage to the organ and its blood vessels. This condition is called pancreatitis.
Common causes of pancreatitis in children include:
- Trauma to the belly, such as from a bicycle handlebar injury
- Blocked bile duct
- Side effects of medicine, such as anti-seizure medicines, chemotherapy, or some antibiotics
- Viral infections, including mumps and coxsackie B
- High blood levels of a fat in the blood, called triglycerides
Other causes include:
- After an organ or bone marrow transplant
- Cystic fibrosis
- Crohn disease and other disorders, when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake
- Type 1 diabetes that is uncontrolled
- Overactive parathyroid gland causing very high calcium levels
- Kawasaki disease
Sometimes, the cause is unknown.
The main symptom of pancreatitis in children is severe pain in the upper abdomen. Sometimes the pain may spread to the back, lower abdomen, and front part of the chest. The pain may increase after meals.
Other symptoms may include:
- Cough
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Fever
- Yellowing of the skin, called jaundice
- Loss of appetite
- Increased pulse
Treatment may require a stay in the hospital. It may involve:
- Pain medicines
- Stopping food or fluids by mouth
- Fluids given through a vein (IV)
- Anti-nausea medicines for nausea and vomiting
- Low-fat diet
The provider may insert a tube through the child's nose or mouth to remove contents of the stomach. The tube will be left in for one or more days. This may be done if vomiting and severe pain don't improve. The child also may be given food through a vein (IV) or a feeding tube.
The child can be given solid food once they stop vomiting. Most children are able to take solid food within 1 or 2 days after an attack of acute pancreatitis.
In some cases, therapy is needed to:
- Drain fluid that has collected in or around the pancreas
- Remove gallstones
- Relieve blockages of the pancreatic duct
M Health Fairview Pediatric Specialty Clinic - Discovery
Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, MD, is a pediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist who cares for children with pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and liver disease. She specializes in performing pediatric liver transplants and total pancreatectomy and islet auto-transplants. Dr. Schwarzenberg is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. Her top areas of expertise are Childhood Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis, Hereditary Pancreatitis, Pancreatectomy, and Islet Cell Transplantation.
Lsu Health Sciences Center Shreveport Faculty Group Practice
Ryan Himes is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist and a Gastroenterologist in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Himes is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Childhood Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis, Hereditary Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, and Liver Transplant. Dr. Himes is currently accepting new patients.
Fairview Health Services
Gregory Beilman is a General Surgeon in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Beilman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Pancreatitis, Childhood Pancreatitis, Hereditary Pancreatitis, Pancreatectomy, and Islet Cell Transplantation. Dr. Beilman is currently accepting new patients.
Most cases go away in a week. Children usually recover completely.
Chronic pancreatitis is rarely seen in children. When it occurs, it is most often due to genetic defects or birth defects of the pancreas or biliary ducts.
Severe irritation of the pancreas, and pancreatitis due to blunt trauma, such as from a bike handle bar, can cause complications. These may include:
- Collection of fluid around the pancreas
- Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
Contact the provider if your child shows symptoms of pancreatitis. Also contact the provider if your child has these symptoms:
- Intense, constant abdominal pain
- Develops other symptoms of acute pancreatitis
- Severe upper abdominal pain and vomiting
Most of the time, there is no way to prevent pancreatitis.
Summary: The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness and tolerance of pain treatment in AP in children using intravenous paracetamol in combination with ibuprofen or paracetamol in combination with metamizole. The study is prospective, interventional, and randomized.
Summary: This is a phase I/II clinical trial assessing the tolerability and efficacy of CM4620 in children and young adults with acute pancreatitis caused by asparaginase. The tolerability of CM4620 when given to patients receiving frontline chemotherapy will be determined. The effectiveness in reducing the severity of pancreatitis will be estimated. Primary Objectives To assess the safety of CM4620 admini...
Published Date: June 11, 2024
Published By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al. Pancreatitis. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 399.
Schaffzin JK. Acute pancreatitis. In: Long SS, ed. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 62.
Vitale DS, Abu-El-Haija M. Pancreatitis. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 82.