1 Department of Surgery, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
Two cases of pancreatitis secondary to infestation with Ascaris as a rare disorder in infants and children are reported. Diagnosis of this disease can be made earlier and more frequently if a serum amylase, gastrointestinal series, and stool examination for ova and parasites are done in all children with acute, undiagnosed upper abdominal pains. Active medical treatment for the pancreatitis followed by antihelminthic therapy should be instituted as soon as the diagnosis is made. If medical therapy is not effective surgical extraction of the offending parasite from the pancreaticobiliary system may be necessary.