Aim: To evaluate the usefulness of routinely measured biochemical and complete blood count parameters as potential markers of the severity of paediatric acute pancreatitis (AP).
Methods: The retrospective study included children with AP hospitalised over a 3 years period. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected.
Results: In total, 55 patients were enrolled in the study. Mild AP was diagnosed in 45 children (82%), moderately severe in 7 (13%), and severe in 3 patients (5%). Together 10 children (18%) were categorised into a single severe group. Children with severe AP had higher white blood cell and platelet counts on admission as well as a C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration after 48 h. The CRP concentration after 48 h (cut-off: 127.2 mg/L) and the white blood cell count on admission (cut-off: 13.5x103 /μl) were found to be statistically significant markers in predicting the severity of the disease. The CRP concentration after 48 h was demonstrated as an independent predictor.
Conclusion: Severe AP is observed in a quite significant percentage of children. The white blood cell count on admission and the CRP concentration after 48 h (as an independent predictor) may be potential simple laboratory markers of the severity of the disease.
Keywords: acute pancreatitis; children; severity.
© 2022 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.