Acute pancreatitis: a rare cause of acute abdomen in pregnancy.

Pancreatitis in pregnancy is rare and occurs in approximately 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 births. Acute pancreatitis rarely complicates pregnancy, can occur during any trimester but over half (52%) occur during the third trimester and rarely during post-partum period. A case of idiopathic pancreatitis in pregnancy has been reported. Pancreatitis often presents as an acute abdomen and can have lethal effect on the mother and the fetus.