Chronic pancreatitis is quite uncommon in children. Conditions that may give rise to pancreatitis in children include: a hereditary form of pancreatitis, injury to the pancreas from trauma, certain medications, certain viral infections, the ERCP procedure itself, parasitic worms, increased calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia), a congenital abnormality of the pancreas known as pancreas divisum, elevated levels of fat in the blood (triglycerides), abnormal bile ducts (choledochal cyst), cystic fibrosis, and more rarely, gallstones or alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, however, most cases of childhood pancreatitis occur without any identifiable causes (idiopathic pancreatitis).
Unlike adult pancreatitis, pancreatitis in children appears to relapse more frequently, although the long-term prognosis for most children who develop chronic pancreatitis is still reasonably good.
Referral to a pancreatic "center of excellence" may be helpful for the long-term management and follow-up of your granddaughter's chronic pancreatitis.
Sincerely/ Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS
http://doctorwascher.com
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