Pancreatitis in childhood.

Follow-up of 25 cases of pancreatitis in childhood ascertained from the Hospital Activity Analysis in Newcastle and Wales showed that the majority of the children thrived after their illness. Only one child died. Only 2 children developed diabetes mellitus and 3 had significant malabsorption. There were 13 idiopathic cases (9 acute, 4 chronic relapsing), 3 of which were obese girls of pubertal age. It is speculated that obesity, puberty and female sex together may predispose to acute pancreatitis.