What Is Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis and Chronic Pancreatitis in Children?
Does your child experience debilitating pain? Does constant pain, nausea and vomiting cause them to miss school and other activities? Have you been told there is nothing else that can be done to treat your child’s pancreatitis? There is help, and there is hope.
Pancreatitis in children is characterized by inflammation of the pancreas that may be caused by hereditary conditions, a virus or infection, an autoimmune disorder, or the cause may be unknown. Treatment often includes intravenous (IV) fluids, nutrition, pain relief and sometimes endoscopic interventions.
In most cases, a child will have a single instance of acute pancreatitis and never experience it again. If a child has acute pancreatitis two or more times, it is called acute recurrent pancreatitis, which is more serious. Prolonged pancreatitis that causes permanent damage to the pancreas is considered chronic pancreatitis, which is also serious. Both acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis can cause long-term complications and significantly impact a child’s quality of life.
How Is Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis and Chronic Pancreatitis Treated?
Children with acute recurrent pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis have a serious condition and may be living with severe pain, nausea and vomiting. A pediatric gastroenterologist can give advice on the types of treatment available for the individual child. In some cases, one option may be a surgical procedure known as total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT).
Speak With Our Team
When your child needs specialized treatment, you want the best. The Pancreas and Liver Care Center team at Nationwide Children’s reviews every child’s case to ensure they receive the right therapy for their needs. TPIAT is one of many treatments offered here. Our team includes the most experienced board-certified pediatric TPIAT surgeon in the country and one of the most experienced islet isolation scientists in the world. Fill out the form below to be contacted by our experts to find out if TPIAT is right for your child.