# Acute Pancreatitis in Children: Retrospective Analysis of 133 Patients

## TL;DR

This study finds that early lab results and initial symptoms in children with acute pancreatitis can predict how long they'll stay in the hospital.

## Contribution

The study identifies early clinical and laboratory markers that predict hospitalization duration in pediatric acute pancreatitis.

## Key findings

- Drug-induced and traumatic causes are more common in children with longer hospital stays.
- Radiological findings like peripancreatic fluid are linked to prolonged hospitalization.
- Starting oral feeding within 48 hours is associated with shorter hospital stays.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
•In pediatric acute pancreatitis, routinely available early laboratory parameters are significantly associated with the length of hospital stay.•Early inflammatory markers and the initial clinical course may help identify patients at increased risk for prolonged hospitalization.

In pediatric acute pancreatitis, routinely available early laboratory parameters are significantly associated with the length of hospital stay.

Early inflammatory markers and the initial clinical course may help identify patients at increased risk for prolonged hospitalization.

What are the implications of the main findings?
•Early risk stratification based on simple, accessible parameters may facilitate clinical decision-making in pediatric acute pancreatitis.•Timely identification of low-risk patients may enable optimized monitoring strategies and more efficient utilization of hospital resources.

Early risk stratification based on simple, accessible parameters may facilitate clinical decision-making in pediatric acute pancreatitis.

Timely identification of low-risk patients may enable optimized monitoring strategies and more efficient utilization of hospital resources.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the etiology, clinic and laboratory features of acute pancreatitis (AP) in children retrospectively. We also aimed to determine the effects of clinical, laboratory and radiological markers on length of hospital stay (LOS). Materials and methods: This study was conducted of 133 patients diagnosed with AP. Patients were divided into two groups based on LOS: ≤7 days and >7 days. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological parameters, as well as time to initiation of feeding, were analyzed. Results: The mean age of patients was 11.2 ± 4.8 years, and 54.1% were male. The most common etiologies were obstructive (30.8%) and idiopathic (29.3%). Drug-induced and traumatic causes were significantly more prevalent in patients with a hospital stay of more than seven days (p = 0.001). Radiological findings other than pancreatic edema (peripancreatic fluid, pleural effusion, or ascites) were significantly associated with prolonged LOS (p = 0.002). A positive correlation was observed between LDH and LOS (r = 0.253, p = 0.031). LOS was significantly shorter in patients who initiated oral feeding within 48 h (p < 0.001). Conclusions: LOS in pediatric AP is influenced by laboratory parameters, radiological findings, and the timing of feeding initiation. Identifying early prognostic indicators, particularly in the pediatric patient group, may guide individualized management and improve clinical outcomes.