Question
A nearly 6-year-old child frequently complains of abdominal pain, with stools sometimes appearing loose and sometimes not forming into solid pieces. The parents have tried giving the child PPA medication, but there has been no improvement. The parents want to know what medication should be given to the child and what the possible causes of this condition might be.
Answer
Abdominal pain and diarrhea in children could be symptoms of acute pancreatitis. Although acute pancreatitis is not common in 6-year-olds, its incidence rate increases with age. Common causes include overeating, particularly of fatty and indigestible foods; obstruction of the bile duct by bile worms; or treatment with L-asparaginase in leukemia patients. Typical symptoms of acute pancreatitis include pain in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, with the child possibly bending their legs due to pain and refusing to have the area touched. Treatment should first involve the prohibition of eating, followed by a regimen of liquid diet adjustments. If severe abdominal pain, vomiting, poor mental state, or facial swelling occur, immediate medical attention is required.