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Pediatric Acute Pancreatitis Diagnosis
- Diagnose acute pancreatitis in children when two of three criteria are met: pancreatic-origin abdominal pain, amylase or lipase over 3x normal, or imaging showing pancreatitis.
- Carefully interpret enzyme levels as upper limits of normal vary between labs.
Essential Labs for Pancreatitis Workup
- For suspected pancreatitis with possible gallstones, order CBC with differential, liver enzymes, total and direct bilirubin, amylase, and lipase.
- These labs help confirm diagnosis and assess for biliary obstruction or infection.
Ultrasound First for Imaging
- Start imaging with transabdominal ultrasound for pediatric acute pancreatitis or biliary disease suspicion.
- Ultrasound is non-invasive, sedation-free, and identifies pancreatic inflammation and biliary sludge or stones in many cases.