Pediatric Pancreatitis Research Articles

Use of evidence-based management guidelines improve the outcome of acute pediatric pancreatitis

Use of evidence-based management guidelines improve the outcome of acute pediatric pancreatitis

Late Presentation of Pancreatic Pseudocyst in a Child

Late Presentation of Pancreatic Pseudocyst in a Child

Incidence of acute pediatric pancreatitis in the light of the clinical practice - The PINEAPPLE study

Incidence of acute pediatric pancreatitis in the light of the clinical practice - The PINEAPPLE study

Spectrum of acute, recurrent and chronic pancreatitis in children.

To determine the clinical presentation, aetiology and outcome of pancreatitis in paediatric population. The retrospective study was conducted at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, and comprised data of children with pancreatitis presenting between 2013 and 2018. Medical records were reviewed and findings of clinical, laboratory workup and management were noted on a specifically developed proforma. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Of the 51 subjects, 28(54.9%) were boys. The overall mean age was 10.6±4.9 years. The most frequent clinical symptom was epigastric pain 39(76.5%). The most common aetiology was gallstones/pancreatic stones 19(37.25%). Mean hospital stay was 5.1±1.8 days, and it was longer in children aged up to 5 years compared to older children (p<0.05). Acute pancreatitis was seen in 23(45.09%) patients, followed by recurrent 19(37.25%) and chronic 9(17.64%). There was no mortality. Timely diagnosis and prompt management of haemodynamic status could lead to successful recovery without any serious complications in paediatric pancreatitis.

North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the Society for Pediatric Radiology Joint Position Paper on Noninvasive Imaging of Pediatric Pancreatitis: Literature Summary and Recommendations.

The reported incidence of pediatric pancreatitis is increasing. Noninvasive imaging, including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), play important roles in the diagnosis, staging, follow-up, and management of pancreatitis in children. In this position paper, generated by members of the Pancreas Committee of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) and the Abdominal Imaging Committee of The Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR), we review the roles of noninvasive imaging in pediatric acute, acute recurrent, and chronic pancreatitis. We discuss available evidence related to noninvasive imaging, highlighting evidence specific to pediatric populations, and we make joint recommendations for use of noninvasive imaging. Further, we highlight the need for research to define the performance and role of noninvasive imaging in pediatric pancreatitis.

Progress in individualizing autologous islet isolation techniques for pediatric islet autotransplantation after total pancreatectomy in children for chronic pancreatitis.

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation is performed to treat chronic pancreatitis in children. Successful islet isolation must address the challenges of severe pancreatic fibrosis and young donor age. We have progressively introduced modifications to optimize enzymatic and mechanical dissociation of the pancreas during islet isolation. We evaluated 2 islet isolation metrics in 138 children-digest islet equivalents per gram pancreas tissue (IEQ/g) and digest IEQ per kilogram body weight (IEQ/kg), using multiple regression to adjust for key disease and patient features. Islet yield at digest had an average 4569 (standard deviation 2949) islet equivalent (IEQ)/g and 4946 (4009) IEQ/kg, with 59.1% embedded in exocrine tissue. Cases with very low yield (<2000 IEQ/g or IEQ/kg) have decreased substantially over time, 6.8% and 9.1%, respectively, in the most recent tertile of time compared to 19.2% and 23.4% in the middle and 34.1% and 36.4% in the oldest tertile. IEQ/g and IEQ/kg adjusted for patient and disease factors improved in consistency and yield in the modern era. Minimal mechanical disruption during digestion, warm enzymatic digestion using enzyme collagenase:NP activity ratio<10:1, coupled with extended distension and trimming time during islet isolation of younger and fibrotic pediatric pancreases, gave increased islet yield with improved patient outcomes.

Initial Pain Management in Pediatric Pancreatitis: Opioid vs. Non-Opioid

Initial Pain Management in Pediatric Pancreatitis: Opioid vs. Non-Opioid

Clinical and Practice Variations in Pediatric Acute Recurrent or Chronic Pancreatitis: Report From the INSPPIRE Study.

The aim of the study was to determine whether clinical characteristics and management of pediatric acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) differ across INSPPIRE (INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a cuRE) sites. Data were collected from INSPPIRE and analyzed per US regions and "non-US" sites. Between-group differences were compared by Pearson chi-square test. Differences in disease burden were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test. Out of the 479 subjects, 121 (25%) were enrolled in West, 151 (32%) Midwest, 45 Northeast (9%), 78 (16%) South, and 84 (18%) at non-US sites. Hispanic ethnicity was more common in South (P < 0.0001); white race in Northeast (P = 0.009). CP was less common and time from diagnosis of first acute pancreatitis to CP was longer in children at non-US sites (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.011, respectively). Genetic mutations were most common among all groups; PRSS1 variants predominated in Midwest (P = 0.002). Gallstones were more frequent in South (P = 0.002). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and computed tomography (CT) imaging were more commonly utilized in United States compared with non-United States (P < 0.0001), but there were no differences in the use of MRI/MRCP. Disease burden was highest in the West and Midwest, possibly as total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) referral sites were located in these regions. All therapies were less commonly administered in non-US sites (P < 0.0001). This is the first study to describe geographical variations in the INSPPIRE cohort, which possibly reflect variations in practice and referral patterns. The underlying reason behind the lower frequency of CP and fewer treatments in non-United States sites need to be further explored.

Viral infection and pediatric pancreatitis.

We have read the article entitled "A rare association: acute pancreatitis caused by the influenza virus A with secondary appendicitis in a six-year-old girl" by Láinez Ramos-Bossini AJ et al. with great interest. This case report is successful and informative. We are specifically interested in viruses and pediatric pancreatitis and would like to mention a few crucial points about pediatric pancreatitis caused by a viral infection.

Acute pancreatitis in children - a retrospective observational study in a South Indian tertiary care hospital

Background & Aims: Acute pancreatitis is usually rare in childhood but probably more commonly diagnosed nowadays. This condition should be considered in the evaluation of children with vomiting and abdominal pain. In this study, we analyse the clinical presentation and outcome of children presenting with acute pancreatitis in a tertiary care centre. Materials & Methods: All children less than 15 years of age, admitted to the paediatric ward of a tertiary care hospital in South India between January 2016 to December 2018 were included in the study. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed based on the INSPPIRE (International Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a Cure) Group criteria. Results: The etiology of acute pancreatitis could be identified in 13 out of 30 patients.The most common etiology was gallstones/ gallbladder sludge (7/30). Overall the incidence of pancreatitis had significant female preponderance 23:7. The average duration of hospital stay was 15 days. Seven patients had mild acute pancreatitis, 18 had moderately severe pancreatitis and 5 had severe pancreatitis. One child with severe acute pancreatitis died. Two of them had pseudocyst formation requiring percutaneous drainage under ultrasound guidance. There was no requirement of surgery in the study group. Conclusion: Our study provides data about the etiology and clinical course of acute pancreatitis in children in southern part of India. Unlike the previous studies, where most of the patients had mild acute pancreatitis, we had more patients with moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis requiring more interventions and ICU care.

Factors Associated With Frequent Opioid Use in Children With Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis.

The aim of the study was to understand the association of frequent opioid use with disease phenotype and pain pattern and burden in children and adolescents with acute recurrent (ARP) or chronic pancreatitis (CP). Cross-sectional study of children <19 years with ARP or CP, at enrollment into the INSPPIRE cohort. We categorized patients as opioid "frequent use" (daily/weekly) or "nonfrequent use" (monthly or less, or no opioids), based on patient and parent self-report. Of 427 children with ARP or CP, 17% reported frequent opioid use. More children with CP (65%) reported frequent opioid use than with ARP (41%, P = 0.0002). In multivariate analysis, frequent opioid use was associated with older age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 1.67 per 5 years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-2.47, P = 0.01), exocrine insufficiency (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.13-5.24, P = 0.02), constant/severe pain (OR 4.14, 95% CI 2.06-8.34, P < 0.0001), and higher average pain impact score across all 6 functional domains (OR 1.62 per 1-point increase, 95% CI 1.28-2.06, P < 0.0001). Children with frequent opioid use also reported more missed school days, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits in the past year than children with no frequent use (P < 0.0002 for each). Participants in the US West and Midwest accounted for 83% of frequent opioid users but only 56% of the total cohort. In children with CP or ARP, frequent opioid use is associated with constant pain, more healthcare use, and higher levels of pain interference with functioning. Longitudinal and prospective research is needed to identify risk factors for frequent opioid use and to evaluate nonopioid interventions for reducing pain and disability in these children.

Current international guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis in children

The article presents current data on the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis in children. Over the past 10-15 years, the incidence of pancreatitis has increased and is 3.6-13.3 cases per 100,000 children. According to the results of an international study INSPPIRE a group of researchers involving in to the study of pediatric pancreatitis gave a definition of acute, acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis and developed clinical guidelines for the management of this pathology in children. Acute pancreatitis is a polyetiological disease, the causes of which may be abnormalities in the development of the pancreatobiliary system, drugs, injuries, infections, systemic diseases. Diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations and laboratory and instrumental data. Clinically acute pancreatitis is manifested by abdominal, dyspeptic and asthenic syndromes. Particular attention is paid to the timely diagnosis of pancreatitis in children with unexplained abdominal pain syndrome. In such cases, it is mandatory to determine the level of amylase and lipase. Transabdominal ultrasound is the screening method among instrumental methods. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are necessary imaging techniques for suspected pancreatic necrosis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, in turn, plays an important role in the diagnosis of anomalies and lesions of the biliary and pancreatic ducts. There are modern classification, diagnostic criteria of acute pancreatitis, laboratory and instrumental methods of the diagnosis and approaches to the treatment in children in the article.

Functional Pancreatic Sphincter Dysfunction in Children: Recommendations for Diagnosis and Management.

Functional pancreatic sphincter dysfunction (FPSD), previously characterized as pancreatic sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, is a rarely described cause of pancreatitis. Most studies are reported in adults with alcohol or smoking as confounders, which are uncommon risk factors in children. There are no tests to reliably diagnose FPSD in pediatrics and it is unclear to what degree this disorder contributes to childhood pancreatitis. We conducted a literature review of the diagnostic and treatment approaches for FPSD, including unique challenges applicable to pediatrics. We identified best practices in the management of children with suspected FPSD and formed a consensus expert opinion. In children with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) or chronic pancreatitis (CP), we recommend that other risk factors, specifically obstructive factors, be ruled out before considering FPSD as the underlying etiology. In children with ARP/CP, FPSD may be the etiology behind a persistently dilated pancreatic duct in the absence of an alternative obstructive process. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy should be considered in a select group of children with ARP/CP when FPSD is highly suspected and other etiologies have been effectively ruled out. The family and patient should be thoroughly counseled regarding the risks and advantages of endoscopic intervention. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for suspected FPSD should be considered with caution in children with ARP/CP when pancreatic ductal dilatation is absent. Our consensus expert guidelines provide a uniform approach to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric FPSD. Further research is necessary to determine the full contribution of FPSD to pediatric pancreatitis.

Pediatric Pancreatitis: Outcomes and Current Understanding.

Aim:The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical spectrum of pediatric pancreatitis and review current literature with regard to concepts of disease and management approaches.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective analysis of pancreatitis patients admitted to a tertiary referral pediatric surgical unit from March 2013 to September 2018.Results:There were 106 patients from 1 year to 18 years with median age group between 11 and 15 years and equal gender distribution. Sixty-two children had acute pancreatitis (AP), with 13 of them having recurrent episodes. Forty-four patients had chronic pancreatitis (CP). Definite etiology was found in 11 AP patients. All patients had radiological changes. All AP patients were treated symptomatically except those with correctable underlying etiology. Sixteen with CP required intervention in the form of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography sphincterotomy/stenting or surgery. There were two mortalities. One with acute necrotizing pancreatitis and one CP girl due to the complication of diabetes mellitus, unrelated to episode of pancreatitis. All others are well at the last follow-up.Conclusion:Pediatric pancreatitis is a disease with a wide spectrum, but management can be standardized. Newer studies reveal that certain genetic mutations make children more susceptible to pancreatitis. Increasing incidence must prompt us to evaluate further so as to better equip ourselves to managing this disease entity in all its forms and evolve preventive strategies.

Pancreatitis in pre-adolescent children: a 10\u2009year experience in the pediatric emergency department

BackgroundThe diagnosis of pediatric pancreatitis has been increasing over the last 15 years but the etiology of this is uncertain. The population of pre-adolescent patients with pancreatitis in the emergency department has not been specifically described. Our objective was to determine the characteristics of these patients to illuminate this population and disease in order to better identify them and avoid a delay in diagnosis and treatment.MethodsThis was a retrospective descriptive study of consecutive pediatric patients under the age of 13 years between 2006 and 2016 who presented to our pediatric emergency department with a diagnosis of atraumatic pancreatitis. Patient characteristics, lab and imaging results, identified etiology of pancreatitis, and recurrence rates were recorded and evaluated.ResultsThere were 139 visits, of which 85 were for a first episode of acute pancreatitis, and 54 were patients with an episode of recurrent pancreatitis. The median age for all visits was 8 years (IQ range 5–11). Of the acute cases, 26% had uncertain or undetermined etiologies of which half were thought to likely be viral related; 20% had systemic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases; 19% were associated with medications, with the most common being valproic acid; 16% were cholelithiasis-related; and 15% were found to have a genetic, congenital or structural etiology. No patients had elevated triglycerides. Those with cholelithiasis and genetic or structural defects were found to have a higher recurrence rate than those with other etiologies. There were only four patients diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis.ConclusionsThe etiology of pancreatitis in pre-adolescent children has a different distribution than in adolescents and adults, with gallstone disease less frequent and concurrent contributing illness more common. Patients on pancreatitis-causing medications or with known genetic risk or structural pancreatic problems should be tested for pancreatitis if presenting with concerning symptoms. Hypertriglyceridemia and chronic pancreatitis with evidence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is uncommon in this population.

Web-based cognitive-behavioral intervention for pain in pediatric acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis: Protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial from the study of chronic pancreatitis, diabetes and pancreatic cancer (CPDPC)

IntroductionAbdominal pain is common and is associated with high disease burden and health care costs in pediatric acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis (ARP/CP). Despite the strong central component of pain in ARP/CP and the efficacy of psychological therapies for other centralized pain syndromes, no studies have evaluated psychological pain interventions in children with ARP/CP. The current trial seeks to 1) evaluate the efficacy of a psychological pain intervention for pediatric ARP/CP, and 2) examine baseline patient-specific genetic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics that may predict or moderate treatment response. MethodsThis single-blinded randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trial aims to enroll 260 youth (ages 10–18) with ARP/CP and their parents from twenty-one INSPPIRE (INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE) centers. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a web-based cognitive behavioral pain management intervention (Web-based Management of Adolescent Pain Chronic Pancreatitis; WebMAP; N = 130) or to a web-based pain education program (WebED; N = 130). Assessments will be completed at baseline (T1), immediately after completion of the intervention (T2) and at 6 months post-intervention (T3). The primary study outcome is abdominal pain severity. Secondary outcomes include pain-related disability, pain interference, health-related quality of life, emotional distress, impact of pain, opioid use, and healthcare utilization. ConclusionsThis is the first clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a psychological pain intervention for children with CP for reduction of abdominal pain and improvement of health-related quality of life. Findings will inform delivery of web-based pain management and potentially identify patient-specific biological and psychosocial factors associated with favorable response to therapy.Clinical Trial Registration #: NCT03707431.

Diabetes Mellitus in Children with Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis: Data From the INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a CuRE Cohort.

Adults with chronic pancreatitis (CP) have a high risk for developing pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus (DM), but little is known regarding potential risk factors for DM in children with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) or CP. We compared demographic and clinical features of children with ARP or CP, with and without DM, in the INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a CuRE (INSPPIRE) registry. We reviewed the INSPPIRE database for the presence or absence of physician-diagnosed DM in 397 children, excluding those with total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation, enrolled from August 2012 to August 2017. Patient demographics, BMI percentile, age at disease onset, disease risk factors, disease burden, and treatments were compared between children with DM (n = 24) and without DM (n = 373). Twenty-four children (6% of the cohort) had a diagnosis of DM. Five of 13 tested were positive for beta cell autoantibodies. The DM group was 4.2 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 3-5.4] older at first episode of acute pancreatitis, and tended to more often have hypertriglyceridemia [odds ratio (OR) 5.21 (1.33-17.05)], coexisting autoimmune disease [OR 3.94 (0.88-13.65)] or pancreatic atrophy [OR 3.64 (1.13, 11.59)]. Pancreatic atrophy may be more common among children with DM, suggesting more advanced exocrine disease. However, data in this exploratory cohort also suggest increased autoimmunity and hypertriglyceridemia in children with DM, suggesting that risk factors for type 1 and type 2 DM, respectively may play a role in mediating DM development in children with pancreatitis.

Application of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatology in pediatric chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a focal or diffuse chronic inflammation and fibrosis of pancreatic tissue, which is progressive, persistent and irreversible.Chronic pancreatitis in children has its own characteristics of early onset and frequent occurrence, which greatly affects the nutritional status and quality of life of children.Recently, diagnosis and treatment of this severe inflammation gradually improved with a burgeoning technique: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), especially in the treatment of pediatric chronic pancreatitis.The detection rate of the disease has been increasing year by year.As an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis in children, ERCP has replaced traditional surgery and become the first-line treatment method for pediatric chronic pancreatitis. Key words: Child; Chronic pancreatitis; Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogy

Risk Factors for Rapid Progression From Acute Recurrent to Chronic Pancreatitis in Children: Report From INSPPIRE.

The aim of the study was to determine the rate of progression from acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) to chronic pancreatitis (CP) in children and assess risk factors. Data were collected from the INternational Study group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE (INSPPIRE) cohort. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to calculate duration of progression from initial attack of acute pancreatitis (AP) to CP. Log-rank test was used to compare survival (nonprogression) probability distribution between groups. Cox proportional hazard regression models were fitted to obtain hazard ratio (with 95% confidence interval [CI]) of progression for each risk variable. Of 442 children, 251 had ARP and 191 had CP. The median time of progression from initial attack of AP to CP was 3.79 years. The progression was faster in those ages 6 years or older at the first episode of AP compared to those younger than 6 years (median time to CP: 2.91 vs 4.92 years; P = 0.01). Children with pathogenic PRSS1 variants progressed more rapidly to CP compared to children without PRSS1 variants (median time to CP: 2.52 vs 4.48 years; P = 0.003). Within 6 years after the initial AP attack, cumulative proportion with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was 18.0% (95% CI: 12.4%, 25.6%); diabetes mellitus was 7.7% (95% CI: 4.2%, 14.1%). Children with ARP rapidly progress to CP, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and diabetes. The progression to CP is faster in children who were 6 years or older at the first episode of AP or with pathogenic PRSS1 variants. The factors that affect the aggressive disease course in childhood warrant further investigation.

Nutrition Interventions in Pediatric Pancreatitis: Guidelines We Can Trust.

Despite the fact that pediatric pancreatitis is an uncommon disease, its prevalence has increased in recent years. Nevertheless, until 4 years ago, the lack of nutritional guidelines for pediatric pancreatitis was evident, with all recommendations being based on clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for adults. The aim of the present study was to review and critically appraise guidelines for the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) of pediatric pancreatitis. A comprehensive search was performed in electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), the International Guidelines Network, BMJ best practice, and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network to identify CPGs on the MNT of pediatric pancreatitis. The validated AGREE II tool was used for guidelines appraisal by a team of 3 independent multidisciplinary reviewers. A total of 4 CPGs were retrieved with pediatric pancreatitis MNT information. Out of the 4 advising bodies in total, the joint society paper published by the ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN received the highest score in almost all domains, whereas the Belgian consensus obtained the lowest score in all domains but stakeholder involvement, and was not recommended by 2 out of 3 reviewers. Pediatric pancreatitis guidelines appear heterogenous in quality, rigour, and transparency. Our study points out existing gaps and biases in the CPGs, and delineates the need for improving the domains identified as being of low-quality.