Pancreatitis In Pregnancy: What has Remained The Same and What has Changed?

Pregnancy associated pancreatitis (PAP) is uncommon with a reported incidence of approximately one in 25001 to 10,0002 live births. Literature reveals a wide range of incidence, clinical outcomes and risk factors related to PAP. The incidence is reported to vary between 0.1% to 0.008% of pregnancy [1-7]. Even though the incidence is still rare, the potential complication is doubled compared to non-pregnant patients, as it deals with 2 lives. In evaluating PAP it is important to address four important queries. 1) does the patient have acute pancreatitis (establishing the diagnosis and ruling out potential differential diagnosis); 2) what is the severity, if the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is established; 3) is it of biliary origin and if so, is there persisting CBD obstruction or complication like cholangitis; 4) which trimester of pregnancy is the patient in and is there any sign of preterm labour or abortion. This editorial addresses the etiopathogenesis, complications and management and notes what has remained the same and what has changed in recent times regarding PAP.