New diagnosis in pediatric practice: autoimmune pancreatitis

Abstract

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AP) is not well-known disorder, it hasn’t been described in children yet. Current data about epidemiology, mechanisms of development, pathological and clinical signs of AP are descripted in the article, including international criterions of its diagnosis. Among 57 children with confirmed diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis 4 correspond to criteria of AP. 2 from 4 children had primary AP, the rest 2 - secondary AP, associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Primary AP had prominent clinical manifestation and immunological markers of AP: high level of IgG4, anti-lactoferrin antibodies, prednisolone treatment reduced flare. Prolong remission support became possible only in case of using azathioprine and pancreatic enzyme Creon.