Genetic Background and Clinical Characters of Pediatric Chronic Pancreatitis: Data and Implications from the East

• Main Authors: Muyun Liu, Tian Xia, Di Zhang, Lianghao Hu, Zhuan Liao, Chang Sun, Zhaoshen Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2017-01-01
• Series: Gastroenterology Research and Practice
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/7548753

Background. The clinical pattern and genetic background of juvenile idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) are yet unclear. Methods. A retrospective study of 73 Chinese juvenile ICP patients was performed, and genetic tests were carried out to detect relevant mutations using direct sequencing technique and high-resolution melting technique. Subjects without pancreatitis served as controls. Results. The SPINK1 c.194+2T>C variant was present in 56.16% and 42.00% of juvenile and adult ICP patients, respectively (p=0.020), but was not present in any of the control subjects. Thirty-four (46.58%) of the 73 juvenile ICP patients were male, and a significantly higher ratio of male patients in the adult group was identified (46.58% versus 64.00%, p=0.022). Although most of the juvenile patients presented with abdominal pain (70/73, 95.89%), the patterns of pain attack are significantly different in patients with or without SPINK1 c.194+2T>C mutation. Patients carrying the mutation are more likely to present with recurrent acute pancreatitis (70.70%). Conclusions. The main symptom of pediatric ICP was abdominal pain. SPINK1 c.194+2T>C mutation had a higher occurrence in juvenile ICP patients than in adult group and typically presented with recurrent acute pancreatitis. There may be unidentified factors that lead to a greater incidence rate of ICP in adult male population.