Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficency

[MereMereS]

Has anyone heard of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficency (meaning your pancreas fails to make digestive enzymes) as a part of Crohn's? My 3 yr old son is undiagnosed, but was found to be pancreatic insufficent when he was a little over a year old. They thought his failure to thrive was related, and that he would grow out of it eventually. He was severely malnourished, and that has improved. But every couple of months or so, he has a bout of severe diarrhea and vomiting. He is still very thin. They have ruled out CF, Shwachman-Diamond, allergies, etc. Crohn's is the best current guess.

Thanks!
Meredith

 

[DustyKat]

I have read about it when I was looking into the relationship between pancreatitis and Crohn's.

Acute or chronic pancreatitis is not an uncommon extra intestinal manifestation of IBD and it quite often appears before any intestinal manifestations do. I do remember reading that exocrine pancreatic insufficiency has been linked to Crohn's and I think of those that are found to have this about 30% have pancreatic antibodies. I don't think they really know the significance of this though.

Although my daughter was much older than your son when she was undiagnosed, and she didn't have diarrhoea, she did cycle with headaches, sore eyes and vomiting. She also had acute/chronic pancreatitis.

I hope you have solid answers for your little guy soon Meredith, bless him...:hug:

Dusty. :heart: