Amylase and lipase measurements in paediatric patients with traumatic pancreatic injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic injuries occur in up to 10% of paediatric patients who suffer blunt trauma. Initial amylase and lipase measurements have not been helpful as a screening tool to detect pancreatic injuries. However, one primarily adult study suggests that a delayed measurement may be useful.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients admitted to a Level I paediatric trauma centre from April 1996 to November 2006 with traumatic pancreatic injuries.
RESULTS: The trauma database identified 51 patients with traumatic pancreatic injuries. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were met by 26 patients. Patients with initial amylase and lipase levels measured greater than 2h post-injury were more consistently elevated compared to those patients who had levels measured at 2h or less post-injury. There was a significant association between time of measurement and an increased amylase level (p=0.012). No significant association was found for lipase measurements (p=0.178). DISCUSSION AND
CONCLUSIONS: In children with blunt pancreatic injury, elevated serum amylase levels were seen in a significantly higher percentage of patients with initial measurements at greater than 2h post-injury compared to those measured at 2h or less. Lipase measurements demonstrated a similar trend. Delayed amylase and lipase measurements may be helpful to detect pancreatic injuries, but further study is needed.