The clinical course of chronic pancreatitis associated with lipid disturbances in children

Introduction: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a rare disease in childhood, characterized by continuous damage of the structure, function, or both, of the pancreas because of progres­sive inflammation. The etiology of CP in children varies and includes anatomic anomalies, gene mutations, metabolic disorders and others. The reported pediatric experience with chronic pancreatitis (CP) is small and little is known about the role of hyperlipidemia.

Aim: To evaluate the role of lipid disturbances as a cause of chronic pancreatitis in children.

Material and methods: One hundred and eighty children with CP, hospitalized from 1995 to 2010, were enrolled in the study. Medical records of these patients were reviewed for clinical presentation and diagnostic findings.

Results: Lipid disturbances were found in 25 patients (13.8%). Hypertriglyceridemia was detected in 15 patients, hypercholesterolemia in 14 patients. In 10 patients with CP and lipid disturbances other factors causing CP were present (gene mutations in 6 patients and anatomic anomalies in 6 pa­tients). There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical course between the hyperlipidemic (HA group) and non-hyperlipidemic group (NHA group).

Conclusions: Chronic pancreatitis associated with lipid disturbances is common in children and has a similar clinical course as chronic pancreatitis without lipid disturbances. We should be aware of coexistence of hyperlipidemia and other factors causing pancreatitis, such as gene mutations.