Transient exocrine pancreatic insufficiency as a possible complication of an enterovirus infection

Abstract

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is an exceptional problem in children, mostly associated with diseases like cystic fibrosis, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome or chronic pancreatitis, as is the case in idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis. Many viral infections are known to cause acute pancreatitis. Most of them, however, are transient with no remaining damage. The differential diagnosis of persisting diarrhoea after gastrointestinal infection does not routinely include a search for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Conclusion: This is the first description of a child with a transient but severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency probably induced by an ordinary enterovirus infection