1. Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Ulcerative Colitis Slideshow

In this Article

• Pancreatitis facts*
• What is pancreatitis?
• What are the causes of acute pancreatitis?
• What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis?
• How is acute pancreatitis diagnosed?
• How is acute pancreatitis treated?
• What is chronic pancreatitis?
• What are the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis?
• How is chronic pancreatitis diagnosed?
• How is chronic pancreatitis treated?
• How common is pancreatitis in children?
• Hope through research
• For more information about pancreatitis
• Patient Comments: Pancreatitis - Describe Your Experience
• Patient Comments: Pancreatitis - Treatments
• Find a local Gastroenterologist in your town
• Pancreatitis Index

Chronic pancreatitis in children is rare. Trauma to the pancreas and hereditary pancreatitis are two known causes of childhood pancreatitis. Children with cystic fibrosis - a progressive and incurable lung disease - may be at risk of developing pancreatitis. But more often the cause of pancreatitis in children is unknown.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition supports basic and clinical research into gastrointestinal diseases, including the causes of pancreatitis and cell injury in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, researchers are studying the genetics of hereditary pancreatitis and risk factors such as cystic fibrosis.

Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research. For information about current studies, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov.

American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606–6995
Fax: 312–899–4899
Email: knowledge@eatright.org
Internet: www.eatright.org

American Gastroenterological Association
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301–654–2055
Fax: 301–654–5920
Email: member@gastro.org
Internet: www.gastro.org

American Pancreatic Association
P.O. Box 14906
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: 612–626–9797
Fax: 612–625–7700
Email: apa@umn.edu
Internet: www.american-pancreatic-association.org

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3570
Phone: 1–800–891–5389
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov

SOURCE: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Pancreatitis. NIH Publication No. 08–1596 July 2008
<http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pancreatitis/index.htm>

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1980, the Clearinghouse provides information about digestive diseases to people with digestive disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NDDIC answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about digestive diseases.

Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This publication was reviewed by David C. Whitcomb, M.D., University of Pittsburgh.

¹Russo MW, Wei JT, Thiny MT, et al. Digestive and liver disease statistics, 2004. Gastroenterology. 2004;126:1448–1453.