My child had Pancreatitis twice

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-17-2004
My child had Pancreatitis twice
4
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 9:05pm
My son is 7 1/2 now, when he was 5 he was hospitalized with Pancreatitis. We spent 5 days in the hospital and were released once his enzyme levels dropped close to normal. At that time the Drs decided it was just something weird that happened and decided not to dig into it and try to find out why he got.

We just returned yesterday from a 7 day stay in the hospital because he once again got Pancreatitis. This time the Drs made a half hearted effort to try to find out what caused this to happen again. He went through blood tests on a daily basis, ultrasounds, CT, and an MRCP. But once again they have no answers for us at all. I am not content with just letting this go and not finding out what is causing this. I don't think its fair to my son to risk him going through the pain of this again and still having no clue as to why he is getting so sick.

Normal enzyme levels for a child his age are 75, the evening he was admitted into the ER his levels were over 1700, which signified a SERIOUS infection. However, the Drs felt it was normal to treat him with "fluids" and pain meds and then send us on our way when they couldn't come up with an answer.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be happening or what I should do to continue this process of trying to find out why a child is getting pancreatitis? PLEASE HELP!
Community Leader
Registered: 10-01-2002
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 3:25pm

Hi and Welcome

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-17-2004
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 4:49pm
Wren,

After the first episode we started keeping a very detailed journal on his eating habits, playtime, bedtime, bathroom habits, etc. His pediatrician is just saying that he has no clue what has caused it either times. I have done some research and what scares me is that from all studies I've read it says scar tissue builds everytime there is an infection in the pancreas and it leads to necrosis of the pancreatic tissue.

We are going to see his regular pediatrician Tuesday and hopefully will get a referral to Oschner Childrens Hospital in New Orleans. That is the closest Childrens Hosp, with a pediatric gastro. specialists.

I will keep you updated and hoefully we will know something within the next week.

Thanks,

Sherry

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 9:07pm

Sherry,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Sun, 09-19-2004 - 4:32pm

Hi Slcarter0110!


Welcome to the board!