Pancreatitis is less common in pediatric patients than in adults. It may be easily missed.
Reasons for a failure to diagnose pancreatitis in a pediatric patient:
(1) The history and physical examination are cursory.
(2) The patient does not have back pain.
(3) A condition that can cause pancreatitis is not recognized as such.
(4) The serum is not tested for amylase and lipase.
(5) The serum amylase is normal.
(6) Imaging studies of the pancreas are not performed.
(7) The clinician is inexperienced.
A child presenting with abdominal pain and vomiting can be a challenge to diagnose.
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Specialty: Gastroenterology
