Inflammation of pancreas, with upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Also see Pancreas programs.Encyclopedia Entry for Pancreatitis :Pancreatitis - children. The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach. It produces chemicals called enzymes, which are needed to digest food. Most of the time, the enzymes are only active after they reach the small intestine. When these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they digest the tissue of the pancreas. This causes swelling, bleeding and damage to the organ and its blood vessels. This condition is called pancreatitis. Common causes of pancreatitis in children include: Trauma to the belly, such as from a bicycle handle bar injury Blocked bile duct Side effects of medicine, such as anti-seizure medicines, chemotherapy, or some antibiotics Viral infections, including mumps and coxsackie B High blood levels of a fat in the blood called triglycerides Other causes include: After an organ or bone marrow transplant Cystic fibrosis Crohn disease and other disorders when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake Type 1 diabetes Overactive parathyroid gland Kawasaki disease Sometimes, the cause is unknown.The main symptom of pancreatitis in children is severe pain in the upper abdomen. Sometimes the pain may spread to the back, lower abdomen, and front part of the chest. The pain may increase after meals. Other symptoms may include: Cough Nausea and vomiting Swelling in the abdomen Fever Yellowing of the skin, called jaundice Loss of appetite Increased pulse.Your child's health care provider will do a physical exam, which may show: Abdominal tenderness or lump (mass) Fever Low blood pressure Fast heart rate Fast breathing rate The provider will perform lab tests to check the release of pancreatic enzymes. These include tests to check the: Blood amylase level Blood lipase level Urine amylase level Other blood tests include: Complete blood count (CBC) Panel or group of blood tests that provide an overall picture of your body's chemical balance Imaging tests that can show inflammation of the pancreas include: Ultrasound of the abdomen (most common) CT scan of the abdomen MRI of the abdomen.Treatment may require a stay in the hospital. It may involve: Pain medicines Stopping food or fluids by mouth Fluids given through a vein (IV) Anti-nausea medicines for nausea and vomiting Low-fat diet The provider may insert a tube through the child's nose or mouth to remove contents of the stomach. The tube will be left in for one or more days. This may be done if vomiting and severe pain don't improve. The child also may be given food through a vein (IV) or a feeding tube. The child can be given solid food once they stop vomiting. Most children are able to take solid food with 1 or 2 days after an attack of acute pancreatitis. In some cases, therapy is needed to: Drain fluid that has collected in or around the pancreas Remove gallstones Relieve blockages of the pancreatic duct.Most cases go away in a week. Usually, children recover completely. Chronic pancreatitis is rarely seen in children. When it occurs, it is most often due to genetic defects or birth defects of the pancreas or biliary ducts.Severe irritation of the pancreas, and pancreatitis due to blunt trauma, such as from a bike handle bar, can cause complications. These may include: Collection of fluid around the pancreas Buildup of fluid in the abdomen ( ascites ).Call the provider if your child shows symptoms of pancreatitis. Also call if your child has these symptoms: Intense, constant abdominal pain Develops other symptoms of acute pancreatitis.Most of the time, there is no way to prevent pancreatitis.Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW, Schor NF. Pancreatitis.Encyclopedia Entry for Pancreatitis :Pancreatitis - discharge. After an episode of pain from pancreatitis, you should start off with drinking only clear liquids, such as soup broth or gelatin. You will need to follow this diet until your symptoms get better. Slowly add other foods back to your diet when you are better. Talk with your provider about: Eating a healthy diet that is low in fat, with no more than 30 grams of fat per day Eating foods that are high in protein and carbohydrates, but low in fat. Eat smaller meals, and eat more often. Your provider will help make sure you are getting enough calories to not lose weight. Quitting smoking, if you smoke (or chewing tobacco). Losing weight, if you are overweight. Always talk to your provider before taking any medicines or herbs. DO NOT drink any alcohol. If your body can no longer absorb fats that you eat, your provider may ask you to take extra capsules, called pancreatic enzymes. These will help your body absorb fats in your food better. You will need to take these pills with every meal. Your provider will tell you how many. When you take these enzymes, you may also need to take another medicine to decrease the acid in your stomach. If your pancreas has a lot of damage, you may also develop diabetes. You will be checked for this problem.Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and foods that make your symptoms worse is the first step to controlling pain. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), at first to try and control your pain. You will get a prescription for pain medicines. Get it filled when you go home so you have it available. If the pain is getting worse, take your pain medicine to help before the pain becomes very bad.Call your provider if you have: Very bad pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter drugs Problems eating, drinking, or taking your drugs because of nausea or vomiting Problems breathing or a very fast heartbeat Pain with fever, chills, frequent vomiting, or with feeling faint, weak, or tired Weight loss or problems digesting your food Yellow color to your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice).Chronic pancreatitis - discharge; Pancreatitis - chronic - discharge; Pancreatic insufficiency - discharge; Acute pancreatitis - discharge.Forsmark CE. Pancreatitis.