Pancreatic involvement in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are a group of chronic diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, with a disabling course. The incidence of IBDs is increasing in different geographical areas, indicating its emergence as a global disease, especially in children. Many patients with IBDs develop extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) during follow-up, as IBDs have a potential risk of systemic involvement..

DATA SOURCES

A systematic review of the literature was made to analyze latest studies on pancreatic involvement in children with IBD including our experience in assessing possible implications and its future application.

RESULTS

The involvement of the hepatobiliary system is considered a rare EIM of children with IBD, with an incidence much higher than that in the general population. Isolated pancreatic hyperenzymemia, which occurs in the absence of typical symptoms and/or characteristic imaging findings, may be found in many patients with IBD. The frequent causes of pancreatitis are drugs, bilio-pancreatic disorders, immunologic disturbances and pancreatic auto-antibodies, although in some cases idiopathic forms have been described.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to establish a correct diagnostic approach based on etiology and to assess the most appropriate therapeutic strategy, thus avoiding complications and improving the quality of life of children with IBD.