Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the paediatric population has increased over the past two decades, with an estimated annual rate of 0.78 per 100,000 children. This study aimed to describe the risk factors and characteristics of AP in Omani children. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including all children <14 years who were admitted and treated with AP at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, from January 2010 to December 2020. Case presentations, aetiology, management, and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: During the 11-year study period, 55 cases were identified (male: female, 1.2:1). The most frequently reported risk factors were toxic/metabolic (49.1%). Abdominal pain was the predominant symptom (76.4%). Conservative treatment was administered in 74.5% of cases, while the remaining patients required surgery or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Of the 55 patients, 51 fully recovered. The number of risk factors per case was not associated with patient outcomes or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Future multicentre and prospective studies with comprehensive data collection are crucial to further understand paediatric AP in Oman and inform potential modifications to treatment guidelines.