The course of acute pancreatitis in children and potential simple laboratory markers of severity - A single Centre retrospective study.

Abstract

To evaluate the usefulness of routinely measured biochemical and complete blood count parameters as potential markers of the severity of paediatric acute pancreatitis (AP). The retrospective study included children with AP hospitalised over a 3 years period. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected. In total, 55 patients were enrolled in the study. Mild AP was diagnosed in 45 children (82%), moderately severe in 7 (13%), and severe in 3 patients (5%). Together 10 children (18%) were categorised into a single severe group. Children with severe AP had higher white blood cell and platelet counts on admission as well as a C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration after 48h. The CRP concentration after 48h (cut-off: 127.2mg/L) and the white blood cell count on admission (cut-off: 13.5x103 /μl) were found to be statistically significant markers in predicting the severity of the disease. The CRP concentration after 48h was demonstrated as an independent predictor. Severe AP is observed in a quite significant percentage of children. The white blood cell count on admission and the CRP concentration after 48h (as an independent predictor) may be potential simple laboratory markers of the severity of the disease.