ABDOMINAL PAIN IN PREGNANCY: ACUTE PANCREATITIS - A CASE REPORT

CLINICAL CASE

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis is a rare condition in pregnancy. The annual incidence of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy varies and is approximately 1 in 1000 to 1 in 10.000. We report a case of acute pancreatitis in a pregnant woman who came into our emergency department with complaints of lower abdominal pain, in the right upper quadrant and epigastric region, associated with vomiting. The laboratory values showed an increased level of liver enzymes, leucocytes, hyperglycemia and proteinuria. Later on, the patient became hypertensive, febrile and the admission cardiotocograph showed severe fetal bradycardia for which emergency caesarean section was made. Postoperative laboratory values showed elevated serum amylase - four times it's normal value - and a decreasing level of AST, ALT. At this moment the diagnosis of pancreatitis was established. The patient was transferred in the general surgery department, where laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary team was needed to ensure good maternal and fetal outcome.