COVID-19-Induced acute pancreatitis – A case series

Abstract

The present pandemic of the COVID-19 virus has caused enormous morbidity and mortality to humankind. Acute pancreatitis (AP) in otherwise healthy patients infected with the COVID-19 virus has been reported only as case reports and series. We report a series of three cases of AP including one adolescent with necrotizing pancreatitis due to COVID-19 infection, out of total 4117 COVID-19 admission (0.07%) in our hospital till February 8, 2022. Detailed investigations for etiological diagnosis of AP were within normal limits thus, the causation was attributed to COVID-19 viral infection as causative agent. One child succumbed to the illness as he also manifested with features of multisystem inflammatory syndrome and had progressive multi-organ dysfunction despite aggressive management. Further studies are required before a clear mechanism of causation due to the COVID-19 virus is proven in AP.