Abstract
Acute pancreatitis is rare in pregnancy but it is associated with increased incidence
of maternal and fetal mortality. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis
of upper quadrant abdominal pain with or without nausea and vomiting. The commonest
identified causes of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy are gallstones, alcohol and hypertriglyceridemia.
The main laboratory finding is increased amylase activity. Appropriate investigations
include ultrasound of the right upper quadrant and measurement of serum triglycerides
and ionized calcium. Management of gallstone pancreatitis is controversial, although
laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
are often used and may be associated with lower complication rates. In hypertriglyceridemia-induced
acute pancreatitis ω-3 fatty acids and even therapeutic plasma exchange can be used.
We also discuss preventive measures.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 02, 2011
Accepted:
July 14,
2011
Received in revised form:
July 10,
2011
Received:
January 20,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
