An Outbreak of Mild Pancreatitis in Severely Handicapped Children

• Published in: Japanese Journal of National Medical Services Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 164 - 167
• Main Authors: KIMURA, Masahiko, INAGAKI, Masumi, NAKAJIMA, Masako, YOSHINO, Kunio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of National Medical Services 1989; 一般社団法人 国立医療学会
• Subjects: 尿アミラーゼ; 流行性膵炎; 重症心身障害児
• ISSN: 0021-1699; 1884-8729
• DOI: 10.11261/iryo1946.43.164

Eighteen patients with gastrointestinal symptoms with an elevated urinary amylase in the wards of severely handicapped children from February to March in 1987 was studied. Their ages ranged from 10 to 45 years, with a mean of 27. These symptoms included nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea and abdominal distension. Urinary amylase increased in all cases and serum amylase in 5 cases. The clinical course was mild in all cases. These results suggested that they were considered to be a mild form of pancreatitis. Viral study was not available for the etiology. Urinary amylase became normalized within one week except 5 cases with a persistent elevation of urine amylase activity without symptoms. Severely handicapped children often show gastrointestinal symptoms. These observations suggest that pancreatitis may be one of the most important causes in handicapped children with gastrointestinal symptoms.