PANCREATITIS- what is it?

• The pancreas is an organ present close to the stomach.

• This organ produces certain enzymes that help to regulate the sugar levels in body

• Sugar is a very important substrate to keep the body working. And these sugar levels have to be constantly regulated within the normal range to maintain harmony.

• Excess sugar causes symptoms of Diabetes( Diabetes mellitus) and low sugar causes symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

• Pancreas constantly produces insulin and glucagon hormone(glucagon increases sugar levels in the body) along with various other enzymes which help digest the protein, fat and carbohydrate in food.

• When the pancreas gets affected( due to various reasons) the enzymes can spill into the organ and cause damage to the organ itself

 

ACUTE PANCREATITIS

• PANCREATITIS = PANCREAS + ITIS ( that means irritation of pancreas)

 

CAUSES

• Trauma to abdomen

• Various medications toxic to pancreas

• Damage to the organ by deposition of minerals – like calcium

• Birth defects like cyst or cystic fibrosis

• Infections- various virus are known to affect pancreas

• Medical Procedures of pancreas

 

SYMPTOMS

• Vomiting- generally gets worse over time

• Fever

• Abdominal pain( tummy pain)

• Back pain or left shoulder pain

• Bloated abdomen

• Bluish discolouration of tummy

 

INVESTIGATIONS

• Bloods are done to check the level of enzymes(that are released by pancreas)

• Scans and X rays may be done to see the structure of pancreas

 

TREATMENT

• In mild cases, supportive treatment is all that is needed.

• As the child gets dehydrated from repeated vomiting, fluids are given.

• In concerns of Pancreatitis, the child is not allowed any food as the organ of digestion is damaged. This is important to provide rest to the organ

• A tube is passed from the nose to the stomach so that stomach can be emptied regularly

• Occasionally antibiotics are started

• If there is significant damage to the organ then an operation is done to remove the affected part.