Lautz et al reviewed acute pancreatitis in pediatric patients. They found that scoring systems for adults did not perform well in pediatric patients. The authors are from Children’s Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University in Chicago.
Patient selection: pediatric patient with acute pancreatitis
Parameters:
(1) admission white blood cell count
(2) trough serum calcium concentration during first 48 hours
(3) rise in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration at 48 hours
Parameter
Finding
Points
admission WBC count
<= 18.500 per µL
0
> 18,500 per µL
1
trough serum calcium
>= 8.3 mg/dL
0
< 8.3 mg/dL
1
rise in serum BUN
<= 5 mg/dL
0
> 5 mg/dL
1
where:
• The odds rations ranged from 3.0 to 4.1.
total number of predictors =
= SUM(points for all 3 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 3
• The risk of severe disease increases with the number of predictors.
Because pediatric patients may develop severe complications without early signs, it is essential to carefully monitor pediatric patients.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
