The Analysis of the Clinical Course of Acute Pancreatitis in Children—A Single-Center Study

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a multifactorial, complicated inflammatory process that involves the organ and the tissues around it. In children, the most common causes of acute pancreatitis are abdominal trauma, infections (mostly viruses), systemic diseases, bile duct diseases (anatomical defects and/or gallstones) and genetic mutations. The course of the disease can vary from mild to very severe with life-threatening complications. The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of causes, clinical picture, complications and treatment of acute pancreatitis in children. <i>Materials and methods:</i> We retrospectively analyzed the history of 57 children hospitalized in the Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice between 2019 and 2022 with diagnosed acute pancreatitis. <i>Results:</i> The analysis included 57 children (age 2-18 years, average 11.0 years, 51% boys, 49% girls) with diagnosed acute pancreatitis. The most common causes of acute pancreatitis were biliary (14/57-24.6%), genetic (10/57-17.5%) and anatomical defects (8/57-14%). In 20/57 (35.1%) children, idiopathic acute pancreatitis was diagnosed. The genetically determined causes were the following: SPINK1 mutation in 5/57 (8.7%) children, PRSS1 mutation in 4/57 (7%) patients and CPA1 mutation in 1/57 (1.8%) children. A total of 19/57 (33.3%) children had more than one episode of acute pancreatitis during the considered period. A total of 10/57 (17.5%) children were obese. The clinical picture was dominated by abdominal pain, vomiting and jaundice. Complications were observed in 9/57 (15.8%) children: peripancreatic fluid collections (6/57-10.5%), pancreatic necrosis (4/57-7%), and pleural effusion and/or pseudocysts. <i>Conclusions:</i> The number of children diagnosed and treated with acute pancreatitis increased over time. The most frequent causes are genetic predispositions, infections and cholelithiasis. Acute pancreatitis should be considered in every case of abdominal pain, vomiting and jaundice in children. Complications with a severe course are also observed in the pediatric population with acute pancreatitis.