Recurrent acute pancreatitis in pregnancy

Abstract

Adverse maternal and fetal outcomes occur due to pancreatitis. Acutebiliary pancreatitis which recurs in subsequent pregnancies is rare and early recognition and management is essential. A 30 year old G2P1L1 at 33+5 weeks with symptoms of vomiting and pain abdomen was diagnosed to have mild acute pancreatitis (MAP). She suffered from acute pancreatitis during third trimester of her previous pregnancy and was conservatively managed. However, the cause was not elucidated. In this pregnancy there was sludge in gallbladder on USG abdomen. She was treated conservatively till her symptoms subsided and was on oral Urosodeoxycholic acid. She underwent emergency caesarean section at 37 weeks for fetal distress. On postnatal day 3 the gall bladder did not show any sludge. Recurrent pancreatitis during pregnancy is most commonly due to biliary cause. Early diagnosis of pancreatitis in pregnancy, prompt treatment prevents progression to severe disease and its complications.