Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can be acute (occurring suddenly and usually self-resolving after a few days) or chronic (long-lasting). While both forms of pancreatitis are more common in adults, they can also develop in children. Explore symptoms and causes of pancreatitis in children.
Children with visible anatomy
Image by TheVisualMD
Summary
Pancreatitis
Image by TheVisualMD
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of pancreatic tissue, caused by enzymes attacking the organ itself. It can be acute or chronic. Most pancreatitis attacks are caused by alcoholism or gallbladder disease; in the case of alcoholism, it typically results from binge drinking in the context of years of heavy drinking. Pancreatitis can also be caused by viral infections, extremely high blood triglycerides levels or cystic fibrosis. Chronic pancreatitis can result in weight loss, malnutrition and diabetes as well as increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Image by TheVisualMD
What Is Pancreatitis, Pediatric?
Pediatric pancreatitis is a condition that causes the pancreas to become inflamed in children. Acute refers to conditions that occur suddenly and have a short course. Symptoms of acute pediatric pancreatitis may include stomach pain, persistent vomiting, and fever. Common causes include blunt abdominal injury, structural defects (e.g., pancreas divisum), medications, viruses, and gallstones. Acute pediatric pancreatitis may also be associated with systemic disease (e.g., hemolytic uremic syndrome). If left untreated acute pancreatitis can progress to the chronic form which is more persistent and involves inflammation and scarring of the pancreas.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Risk Factors
Mutation
Image by AJC1
Mutation
Mutation in the DNA
Image by AJC1
Identifying Risk Factors for Pancreatitis in Children
In the largest study of its kind, an international group of researchers found that genetics, birth defects, and ethnicity may play important roles in the occurrence of pancreatitis in children. Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, permanent tissue damage. Pancreatitis can be acute (occurring suddenly and usually self-resolving after a few days) or chronic (long-lasting). In some cases, recurring acute episodes can lead to the more debilitating chronic form of the disease. While both forms of pancreatitis are more common in adults, they can also develop in children. However, researchers have struggled to identify the factors that put young people at risk for pancreatitis, partly because the most common risk factors for adults—gallstones and heavy alcohol use—are rare in children.
The multinational INSPPIRE (International Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a Cure) consortium was established to investigate the risk factors and outcomes of pediatric pancreatitis. The consortium, which has enrolled the largest cohort of pediatric pancreatitis patients to date, collected genetic, demographic, and clinical data from 301 children (girls and boys aged 19 and under) with acute recurrent or chronic forms of pancreatitis. The most common risk factor for pancreatitis in children was at least one mutation in any of four genes that are known to be associated with pancreatitis—CFTR, PRSS1, SPINK1, and CTRC. Mutations in PRSS1 and SPINK1 were more common in children with chronic pancreatitis than in children with acute recurrent pancreatitis, which means that mutations in these genes may increase the risk of transitioning from acute to chronic pancreatitis. Another risk factor found was obstruction of the pancreatic duct, most frequently by a relatively common birth defect known as pancreas divisum, in which the pancreas is drained by two smaller ducts instead of a single one. Other risk factors for pancreatitis that were identified were toxic or metabolic factors and autoimmune diseases, but they were not as common as genetic or obstructive factors. Many of the children in the study were found to have multiple risk factors for pancreatitis, suggesting that the disease may result from a complex interplay among more than one factor. The researchers also found that non-Hispanic children were more likely than Hispanic children to develop chronic pancreatitis. In addition to identifying risk factors, the INSPPIRE researchers also examined the burden of disease in children with pancreatitis. They found that children with both forms of pancreatitis endured significant abdominal pain, along with a number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Children with chronic pancreatitis had a higher number of emergency room visits and hospitalization than children with recurrent acute episodes, underscoring the need to diagnose and treat pancreatitis early to avoid progression of the disease to the chronic form.
Additional research is needed to tease out how these factors drive pancreatitis development and progression in children. However, overall, the results in this study suggest that there are potential ways to screen for increased risk of pancreatitis in children, such as genetic testing, possibly providing the opportunity for early intervention before the disease develops or becomes chronic.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Additional Materials (1)
PancreasColor
Colorized image of the pancreas with labels
Image by Cypressvine/Wikimedia
PancreasColor
Cypressvine/Wikimedia
Symptoms
Stomach pain
Image by OpenClipart
Stomach pain
Image by OpenClipart
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatitis, Pediatric?
Children with acute pancreatitis may experience stomach pain, persistent vomiting, and fever. Their abdomen may be distended and tender. The pain increases in intensity for 24 to 48 hours, during which time vomiting may increase and the child may require hospitalization for dehydration.Severe acute pancreatitis is rare in children. This form of pancreatitis can become life-threatening. In addition to the symptoms listed above, these children may have ascites, jaundice, hypocalcemia, shock, and pleural effusions. A bluish discoloration may be seen around the belly button or on the side.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Diagnosis
Calcified pancreatic duct stones with some free intra-abdominal fluid
Image by James Heilman, MD
Calcified pancreatic duct stones with some free intra-abdominal fluid
Calcified pancreatic duct stones with some free intraabdominal fluid
Image by James Heilman, MD
Diagnosis of Pancreatitis
To diagnose pancreatitis and find its causes, doctors use
your medical history
a physical exam
lab and imaging tests
A health care professional will ask
about your symptoms
if you have a history of health conditions or concerns that make you more likely to get pancreatitis—including medicines you are taking
if you have a personal or family medical history of pancreatitis or gallstones
During a physical exam, the health care professional will
examine your body
check your abdomen for pain, swelling, or tenderness
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH)
Additional Materials (1)
What symptoms lead to your diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?
Video by ThePancreasPatient/YouTube
3:31
What symptoms lead to your diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy; drawing shows an endoscope with an ultrasound probe and biopsy needle inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus. Also shown are the lymph nodes near the esophagus and cancer in one lung. An inset shows the ultrasound probe locating the lymph nodes with cancer and the biopsy needle removing tissue from one of the lymph nodes near the esophagus.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. An endoscope that has an ultrasound probe and a biopsy needle is inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus. The probe bounces sound waves off body tissues to make echoes that form a sonogram (computer picture) of the lymph nodes near the esophagus. The sonogram helps the doctor see where to place the biopsy needle to remove tissue from the lymph nodes. This tissue is checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.
What Tests Do Health Care Professionals Use to Diagnose Pancreatitis?
Health care professionals may use lab or imaging tests to diagnose pancreatitis and find its causes. Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis can be hard in the early stages. Your doctor will also test for other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as peptic ulcers or pancreatic cancer.
Lab tests
Lab tests to help diagnose pancreatitis include the following:
Blood tests. A health care professional may take a blood sample from you and send the sample to a lab to test for
high amylase and lipase levels—digestive enzymes made in your pancreas
high blood glucose, also called blood sugar
high levels of blood fats, called lipids
signs of infection or inflammation of the bile ducts, pancreas, gallbladder, or liver
pancreatic cancer
Stool tests. Your doctor may test a stool sample to find out if a person has fat malabsorption.
Imaging tests
Health care professionals also use imaging tests to diagnose pancreatitis. A technician performs most tests in an outpatient center, a hospital, or a doctor’s office. You don’t need anesthesia, a medicine to keep you calm, for most of these tests.
Ultrasound. Ultrasound uses a device called a transducer, which bounces safe, painless sound waves off your organs to create a picture of their structure. Ultrasound can find gallstones.
Computed tomography (CT) scan. CT scans create pictures of your pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. CT scans can show pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). MRCP uses a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, which creates pictures of your organs and soft tissues without x-rays. Your doctor or a specialist may use MRCP to look at your pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts for causes of pancreatitis.
Health care professionals use MRCP to look at your pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts for causes of pancreatitis.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Your doctor inserts an endoscope—a thin, flexible tube—down your throat, through your stomach, and into your small intestine. The doctor turns on an ultrasound attachment to create pictures of your pancreas and bile ducts. Your doctor may send you to a gastroenterologist to perform this test.
Pancreatic Function Test (PFT). Your doctor may use this test to measure how your pancreas responds to secretin, a hormone made by the small intestine. This test is done only at some centers in the United States.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Pancreatic Function
Pancreatic Function Test
Also called: PFT, Secretin Stimulation, Secretin Endoscopic Pancreatic Function Test (ePFT)
This test measures how your pancreas responds to secretin, a hormone made by the small intestine when partially digested food is present. When secretin is given to you during this test, certain chemicals may be increased in your blood. This is measured during the test. This test is done to check the digestive function of the pancreas.
Pancreatic Function Test
Also called: PFT, Secretin Stimulation, Secretin Endoscopic Pancreatic Function Test (ePFT)
This test measures how your pancreas responds to secretin, a hormone made by the small intestine when partially digested food is present. When secretin is given to you during this test, certain chemicals may be increased in your blood. This is measured during the test. This test is done to check the digestive function of the pancreas.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
pg/mL
12
75
Your result is Normal.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly depending on the lab doing the test. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
Related conditions
Diagnosis of Pancreatitis - NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Aug 4, 2023 [accessed on Aug 04, 2023]
Secretin stimulation test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image [accessed on Aug 04, 2023]
Mansour A Parsi. Update on endoscopic pancreatic function testing. World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG. Aug 4, 2023. doi:10.3748/wjg.v17.i35.3957 [accessed on Aug 04, 2023]
Secretin Stimulation | Labcorp [accessed on Aug 04, 2023]
Quest Diagnostics: Test Directory [accessed on Aug 04, 2023]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Amylase Test
Amylase Test
Also called: Amy, Amylase
An amylase test is used to measure levels of amylase in the blood or urine. Amylase is an enzyme, found mainly in saliva and pancreatic fluid, that helps you digest food. Abnormal levels in blood or urine may indicate a disorder of the pancreas.
Amylase Test
Also called: Amy, Amylase
An amylase test is used to measure levels of amylase in the blood or urine. Amylase is an enzyme, found mainly in saliva and pancreatic fluid, that helps you digest food. Abnormal levels in blood or urine may indicate a disorder of the pancreas.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
(i.U.)/L
31
124
Your result is Normal.
Most of your amylase is made in the pancreas and salivary glands. A small amount of amylase in your blood is normal.
Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
(i.U.)/h
2.6
21.2
Your result is Normal.
Most of your amylase is made in the pancreas and salivary glands. A small amount of amylase in your urine is normal.
Related conditions
An amylase test measures the amount of amylase in your blood or urine (pee). Amylase is an enzyme, or special protein, that helps you digest carbohydrates. Most of the amylase in your body is made by your pancreas and salivary glands.
A small amount of amylase in your blood and urine is normal. But having too much or too little may be a sign of a disorder of the pancreas or salivary glands, or another medical condition.
Other names: Amy test, serum amylase, urine amylase
Tests for amylase in blood or urine are mainly used to diagnose problems with your pancreas, including pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. It is also used to monitor chronic (long-term) pancreatitis.
Increases and decreases in amylase levels show up in blood before urine, so an amylase urine test may be done with or after an amylase blood test.
One or both types of amylase test may also be used to help diagnose or monitor treatment for other disorders that may affect amylase levels, such as salivary gland disorders and certain digestive conditions.
Your health care provider may order an amylase blood and/or urine test if you have symptoms of a pancreatic disorder. Symptoms may begin suddenly or slowly and include:
Pain in your upper abdomen (belly) that may spread to your back or get worse after eating
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Fast heartbeat
Jaundice
Greasy, foul-smelling stool (poop)
Your provider may also order an amylase test to monitor an existing condition that affects the pancreas, including:
Chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatic cancer
Eating disorders
Cystic fibrosis
Alcohol use disorder
Recovery from having gallstones removed after a gallbladder attack
For an amylase blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
For an amylase urine test, you will need to give a urine sample for the test. A health care professional may give you a cleansing wipe, a small container, and instructions for how to use the "clean catch" method to collect your urine sample. It's important to follow these instructions so that germs from your skin don't get into the sample:
Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them.
Open the container without touching the inside.
Clean your genital area with the cleansing wipe:
For a penis, wipe the entire head (end) of the penis. If you have a foreskin, pull it back first.
For a vagina, separate the labia (the folds of skin around the vagina) and wipe the inner sides from front to back.
Urinate into the toilet for a few seconds and then stop the flow. Start urinating again, this time into the container. Don't let the container touch your body.
Collect at least an ounce or two of urine into the container. The container should have markings to show how much urine is needed.
Finish urinating into the toilet.
Put the cap on the container and return it as instructed.
If you have hemorrhoids that bleed or are having your menstrual period, tell your provider before your test.
Your provider may request that you collect all your urine during a 24-hour period. That's because the amount of amylase in urine can vary throughout the day. So, collecting several samples in a day may give a more accurate picture of your amylase levels. For this test, you will be given a container and specific instructions on how to collect your sample at home. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully.
In certain cases, your provider may order a test for amylase in peritoneal fluid. This is fluid between the layers of the tissue that line the inside of your abdomen (belly) and cover most of your organs. To get a sample, a health care professional will numb your skin and use a needle and tubing to draw some fluid into a container.
You should not drink alcohol for 24 hours before having an amylase blood or urine test. If you are having a blood test, your provider may also tell you to fast (not eat or drink) for two hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. During a blood test, you may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
There is no known risk to having a urine test.
If you have a peritoneal fluid test, you may feel a little dizzy or lightheaded after the procedure. There is a small risk of the needle damaging your bowel or bladder, which may lead to bleeding or infection.
High levels of amylase in blood or urine may be a sign of:
Acute (sudden) pancreatitis
A blockage in a duct (small tube) in the pancreas
Pancreatic cancer or benign (not cancer) tumor
High levels of amylase in peritoneal fluid may be a sign of:
Acute pancreatitis
A blocked intestine
Lack of blood flow to the intestines
Low levels of amylase in blood or urine are uncommon, but may be a sign of:
Chronic pancreatitis causing permanent damage to the cells that make amylase
Kidney disease
Cystic fibrosis
Liver disease
Pre-eclampsia (a type of high blood pressure in pregnancy)
Be sure to tell your provider about any prescription or over-the-counter medicines you are taking because they may affect your test results. To learn more about your results, talk with your provider.
If your provider suspects you have pancreatitis, he or she may order a lipase blood test, along with an amylase blood test. Lipase is another enzyme produced by the pancreas. Lipase tests are considered to be more accurate for diagnosing pancreatitis, especially when pancreatitis is caused by alcohol use disorder.
Amylase Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Mar 08, 2024]
Amylase - blood: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Mar 08, 2024]
Amylase (Blood) - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center [accessed on Mar 08, 2024]
Amylase Test - Testing.com. Dec 14, 2022 [accessed on Mar 08, 2024]
Amylase Test | HealthLink BC [accessed on Mar 08, 2024]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (8)
Amylase
Image Caption - NIH Image Gallery
Image by Credit: Image acquired by S. Pradhan-Bhatt, PhD; Authors: S. Pradhan-Bhatt & R.L. Witt - University of Delaware/ Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute M.C. Farach-Carson & D.A. Harrington - Rice University X. Jia
Amylase, Pancreatic Cancer
Amylase is one of several enzymes produced by the pancreas and secreted into the digestive tract to help break down nutrients (amylase is also produced by the salivary glands). The enzyme is usually present in the blood and urine only in small quantities, but when pancreatic tissue is injured, inflamed (pancreatitis) or when the pancreatic duct is blocked or a tumor is present, amylase can leak into the blood and urine. As cancerous tissue overwhelms the pancreas, its function is compromised and enzyme levels fall.
Image by TheVisualMD
What are Enzymes?
Video by FreeMedEducation/YouTube
Face, skull and Salivary Glands
3D visualization reconstructed from scanned human data of a lateral view of the face displaying salivary glands. Saliva produced in the three salivary glands (sublingual, submandibular, and parotid) is delivered to the oral cavity via salivary ducts. Saliva serves multiple functions: lubricating and cleansing the mouth, dissolving food so that it can be detected by taste buds, and secreting enzymes that begin the chemical breakdown of starches.
Image by TheVisualMD
Adult Female Eating Apple with Visible Heart and Digestive System
This image features an adult female eating an apple. Her heart and digestive system are revealed, and there is a cross-sectioned portion of her small intestine allowing a look inside. Simple sugars such as fructose, sucrose, and glucose are naturally abundant in whole foods such as fruit (like the apple in this image), vegetables, and milk. The body needs food molecules to be broken down before they can be absorbed. Due to their "simple" construction, simple sugars can be absorbed easily and put to use rapidly. Foods with simple sugars are the quickest dietary energy sources. However, like twigs on a hot fire, simple carbs burn up quickly. That's why candy bars and soda are good only for short bursts of energy. And because they are used up rapidly, these foods very soon leave you feeling hungry again.
Image by TheVisualMD
Catabolism of Lipids and Proteins
Catabolic Reactions
Image by OpenStax College
Amylase, Carbohydrate Digestion
Amylase is one of several enzymes produced by the pancreas and secreted into the digestive tract to help break down nutrients (amylase is also produced by the salivary glands). The pancreas further aids in the digestion of carbohydrates by producing the hormone insulin, which governs the metabolism of glucose, a simple sugar produced by the break down of carbohydrates.
Image by TheVisualMD
Amylase, Pancreatic Cell
The pancreas functions as two organs in one: 98% of pancreatic cells are arranged in grapelike clusters that produce digestive enzymes, such as amylase and lipase, which are released into the small intestine; the other 2% of pancreatic cells, located in regions called islets of Langerhans, function as an endocrine organ and produce hormones such as insulin.
Image by TheVisualMD
Amylase
Credit: Image acquired by S. Pradhan-Bhatt, PhD; Authors: S. Pradhan-Bhatt & R.L. Witt - University of Delaware/ Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute M.C. Farach-Carson & D.A. Harrington - Rice University X. Jia
Amylase, Pancreatic Cancer
TheVisualMD
5:34
What are Enzymes?
FreeMedEducation/YouTube
Face, skull and Salivary Glands
TheVisualMD
Adult Female Eating Apple with Visible Heart and Digestive System
TheVisualMD
Catabolism of Lipids and Proteins
OpenStax College
Amylase, Carbohydrate Digestion
TheVisualMD
Amylase, Pancreatic Cell
TheVisualMD
Chymotrypsin Test
Chymotrypsin Test
Also called: Chymotrypsin in Stool, Fecal Chymotrypsin, Trypsin and Chymotrypsin Stool Test
This test measures the amount of chymotrypsin in a stool sample. Chymotrypsin is an enzyme released by the pancreas during digestion. If the amount is lower than normal, it may mean your pancreas isn't making enough enzymes to digest your food properly.
Chymotrypsin Test
Also called: Chymotrypsin in Stool, Fecal Chymotrypsin, Trypsin and Chymotrypsin Stool Test
This test measures the amount of chymotrypsin in a stool sample. Chymotrypsin is an enzyme released by the pancreas during digestion. If the amount is lower than normal, it may mean your pancreas isn't making enough enzymes to digest your food properly.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
U/g
2.3
51.4
Your result is Normal.
A normal result indicates that chymotrypsin is present in the stool in normal amounts, and is associated with normal pancreas function.
Related conditions
This test measures the amount of chymotrypsin in a stool sample. Chymotrypsin is an enzyme released by the pancreas during digestion. If lower than normal amounts are released, it may mean your pancreas isn't making enough enzymes to digest your food properly. This is known as pancreatic insufficiency.
Pancreatic insufficiency is most often caused by chronic pancreatitis, a swelling of the pancreas. It may also be caused by cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that causes mucus to build up in the lungs and other organs, including the pancreas. People with CF often have trouble absorbing nutrients from food.
Your sample may also be tested for trypsin, an enzyme released by the pancreas along with chymotrypsin.
A chymotrypsin in stool test is used to help diagnose conditions that affect the pancreas, such as:
Pancreatitis
Cystic fibrosis
Malnutrition, a condition in which your body does not get the calories, vitamins, and/or minerals needed for good health
You may need this test if you have symptoms of a pancreatic disorder. These include:
Chronic diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Foul-smelling, greasy stools
Weight loss
Frequent sinus infections
You will need to provide a stool sample. Your health care provider will give you specific instructions on how to collect and send in your sample. Your instructions may include the following:
Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves.
Collect and store the stool in a special container given to you by your health care provider or a lab. You may get a device or applicator to help you collect the sample.
Make sure no urine, toilet water, or toilet paper mixes in with the sample.
Seal and label the container.
Remove the gloves, and wash your hands.
Return the container to your health care provider or the lab by mail or in person.
You don't need any special preparations for a chymotrypsin in stool test.
There is no known risk to having a stool test.
Your results will show whether the amount of chymotrypsin in your stool is normal or below normal. Your results may also include the amount of trypsin found.
If the amount of chymotrypsin and/or trypsin is below normal, it may mean your pancreas isn't making enough enzymes to digest your food properly. But the test can't diagnose any specific disorders by itself. Your health care provider will need to order more tests. These may include the following, which measure different pancreatic enzymes:
Stool elastase
Lipase blood test
Amylase blood test
If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Chymotrypsin in Stool: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Oct 10, 2021]
FCHYS - Clinical: Chymotrypsin, Stool [accessed on Oct 03, 2018]
Chymotrypsin [accessed on Oct 03, 2018]
Trypsin and Chymotrypsin Stool Test [accessed on Oct 03, 2018]
Trypsin/Chymotrypsin (Stool) - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center [accessed on Oct 03, 2018]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (6)
Home Stool Test
Home Stool Test - The kit shown in this picture includes a small stick or wand for collecting a small sample of stool and a card where you place your sample. It’s important to follow instructions about how and when to collect your samples in order to get the most accurate results possible. A single sample collected at the doctor’s office is not enough. Since blood isn't always present, some kits ask for more than one sample and should be collected at home.
Image by NCI/NIH
Stool test
Transport vials filled with human feces for stool testing (parasites and cultures).
Image by Bobjgalindo
Drawing of hands holding a card containing a stool sample. A drop of liquid is being applied to the stool sample to test for fecal occult blood
Fecal occult blood test.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
Cystic Fibrosis: Symptoms and Treatment
Video by MainMD/YouTube
What is cystic fibrosis? Animation
Video by pcouvignou/YouTube
Animation #2: What is Cystic Fibrosis?
Video by CFFightersUtah/YouTube
Home Stool Test
NCI/NIH
Stool test
Bobjgalindo
Drawing of hands holding a card containing a stool sample. A drop of liquid is being applied to the stool sample to test for fecal occult blood
NIDDK Image Library
4:06
Cystic Fibrosis: Symptoms and Treatment
MainMD/YouTube
4:59
What is cystic fibrosis? Animation
pcouvignou/YouTube
5:30
Animation #2: What is Cystic Fibrosis?
CFFightersUtah/YouTube
Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal Ultrasound
Also called: Ultrasound - abdomen, Abdominal sonogram, Abdominal sonography, Right upper quadrant sonogram, Ultrasound of the Abdomen, Ultrasound Imaging of the Abdomen
An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. It may also be used to assess blood flow to abdominal organs. An abdominal ultrasound can help find the cause of stomach pain or bloating, check for kidney stones, liver disease, tumors and many other conditions.
Abdominal Ultrasound
Also called: Ultrasound - abdomen, Abdominal sonogram, Abdominal sonography, Right upper quadrant sonogram, Ultrasound of the Abdomen, Ultrasound Imaging of the Abdomen
An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. It may also be used to assess blood flow to abdominal organs. An abdominal ultrasound can help find the cause of stomach pain or bloating, check for kidney stones, liver disease, tumors and many other conditions.
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Your result is Normal.
A normal result indicates that the organs examined appear normal.
Related conditions
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/prostate#additional [accessed on Sep 16, 2019]
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/appendicitis/diagnosis [accessed on Sep 19, 2019]
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/urinary-tract-imaging [accessed on Sep 16, 2019]
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/urine-blockage-newborns/vesicoureteral-reflux [accessed on Sep 16, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003777.htm [accessed on Oct 09, 2021]
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/abdominal-ultrasound [accessed on Oct 09, 2021]
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/abdominus [accessed on Oct 09, 2021]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Treatment
Electrolytes
Image by TheVisualMD
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are salts that dissolve in water and separate into smaller atoms or molecules (ions) that carry an electric charge. Why does the body need electrical charges? Like a telephone uses wire to carry the human voice, our cells use electrolytes to carry the messages that control many nerve and muscle functions. Pure water does not conduct electricity very well; if there weren't electrolytes circulating with the body's water, those messages would never be sent. Learn about the electrolytes in your body and what fluids are best to keep your body hydrated.
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How Might Pancreatitis, Pediatric Be Treated?
All families with children with pediatric pancreatitis should work with their child's health care team in developing a treatment plan. For cases of uncomplicated acute pediatric pancreatitis the aims of treatment are to relieve pain and stabilize the child’s metabolism. Pain medication is given and fluid, electrolyte, and mineral balance is restored and maintained.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Additional Materials (1)
Importance of Electrolytes
Sodium is an electrolyte that plays a role in many physiological processes, including nerve transmission and muscle contraction. Along with other electrolytes, sodium helps balance bodily fluids and facilitate the movement of materials across cell membranes
Image by TheVisualMD
Importance of Electrolytes
TheVisualMD
Prognosis
Treatment and Prognosis varies depending on the type of condition and the age of symptom onset.
Image by 4144132
Treatment and Prognosis varies depending on the type of condition and the age of symptom onset.
Prognosis varies depending on the type of MND and the age of symptom onset.
Image by 4144132
What Is the Long-Term Outlook for Children with Pancreatitis?
The prognosis for children with an acute uncomplicated case of pancreatitis is excellent and children usually recover over a period of 2 to 5 days. When pancreatitis is associated with trauma or systemic disease, the prognosis is typically related to the associated medical conditions.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
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Pancreatitis in Children
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can be acute (occurring suddenly and usually self-resolving after a few days) or chronic (long-lasting). While both forms of pancreatitis are more common in adults, they can also develop in children. Explore symptoms and causes of pancreatitis in children.