Pancreatitis in 8 year-old

Posted by mandylloyd @mandylloyd, Sep 2, 2018

My 8 year old son had high lipase levels which indicated pancreatitis. After an ultrasound and MRI and MRCI, the results are “unclear”. He doesn’t have typical symptoms of pancreatitis (not sick, no vomiting, no fever) and there is no seen cause (gallbladder or trauma) for pancreatitis. Aside from occasional stomach pain, and fatigue, he is totally happy and healthy.
We are supposed to “wait and see” and do a second MRI in 6 weeks.
I am sacred this could be a tumor and that is what they are looking for in the MRI. Is there anything else this could be? Six weeks seems like an eternity and I am sick with worry trying to find any information.
I read a few studies where pancreatitis was caused from celiac disease. Any help or similar stories that can lead my investigation to finding answers would be appreciated. I am a very scared mom right now.

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gabrielec | @gabrielec | Sep 3, 2018

Hi, sorry you're going through this. But hopefully whatever the issue is with your son's pancreas is nothing serious. My daughter was diagnosed at age 8 with hereditary pancreatitis. She's 26 now, and doing well! Look it up and see if the symptoms match your son's symptoms.

Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Nov 10, 2018

Hi @mandylloyd,

I just wanted to drop in and say hello, and see how your son was doing; I truly hope everything went well with the MRI? According to this article, elevated lipase levels can be a sign of other conditions, besides pancreatitis. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322201.php

Did your son’s doctor order an amylase test alongside the lipase test? Results of an amylase test can usually show whether a person has a pancreatic condition. I wish you and your son all success, @mandylloyd; I’d love to hear back from you.