Abstract
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: This case report highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides, as a possible cause of acute pancreatitis in children, especially in endemic regions. Noninvasive imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography, can play a crucial role in the early detection and diagnosis of this unusual presentation. Timely administration of anthelmintic therapy led to the resolution of symptoms and prevented the need for invasive procedures. Healthcare providers should be vigilant about the diverse clinical manifestations of ascariasis, and regular deworming programs and health education are essential in minimizing the burden of this neglected tropical disease among children. ABSTRACT: Ascariasis is a common public health problem globally but it is more prevalent in school-age children and it often goes undiagnosed, leading to severe complications. The purpose of this report is to spread awareness of its unusual presentation and how to judiciously use noninvasive approaches for its diagnosis. We present a case of a 10-year-old girl that was presented in pediatric emergency with gradually worsening epigastric pain. Initial lab work-up showed elevated pancreatic enzymes which lead to the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The patient was managed in the line of acute pancreatitis and with further evaluation by imaging techniques such as ultrasound and CT-scan abdomen, Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) was visualized. She was then treated with prophylactic antibiotics and antiparasitic medications, which resolved her symptoms and the child responded to the treatment. In children, parasites should be considered as a cause of acute pancreatitis by clinicians, especially in low-income countries, and before performing invasive procedures, noninvasive approaches should be considered as an initial option. This can save the patient from multiple invasive procedure and its severe complications.