Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Rare and Complex Conditions/Can Pediatric Pancreatitis Be Managed with a Specific Diet?

Can Pediatric Pancreatitis Be Managed with a Specific Diet?

Can Pediatric Pancreatitis Be Managed with a Specific Diet?
October 23, 2019
0 Comments
By: Christie Heinzman, APRN

Families of kids with pancreatitis are hungry for information and strategies to help them manage their condition and feel better. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that can cause significant pain, swelling, infection, or permanent damage to the organ. This problem can be either acute (sudden onset) or chronic (goes on for a long time). Pain is the most significant side effect of pancreatitis, but other problems can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and issues with other organs.

During their initial information gathering, parents often ask about dietary recommendations. They wonder if specific foods could have triggered their child’s pancreatitis. They’re also curious if a specific diet could help control their child’s symptoms or avoid repeated episodes of pancreatitis altogether.   

Can Pediatric Pancreatitis Be Managed with a Specific Diet?

The short answer is probably not. We do not recommend a particular diet – unless a child has another related condition, like hypertriglyceridemia (high levels of blood triglycerides)  – because the literature does not support it.  At one point in time, doctors thought that a “low fat diet” could help a person decrease the chances of pancreatitis and lower their lipase levels. Lipase is a type of protein made by the pancreas that helps the body digest fat. Elevated lipase levels can be an indicator of pancreatitis.

However, studies have shown that eating a low-fat diet does not improve lipase levels, nor help kids’ symptoms. What has shown to be helpful is eating healthy, well-balanced meals and avoiding the foods that we all should be limiting. This is relevant to the kids who are managing acute episodes or in-between episodes. We suggest that kids with pancreatitis (and even kids without!) follow the below general guidelines. The USDA’s website is a great resource for further information.   

  • Eat more fruits and veggies (about half the plate)
  • Encourage whole grains (rather than simple carbs)
  • Proteins should be about a fourth of the plate
  • Limit sugar and simple carbs (such as juice, cookies, chips, etc)
  • Stop eating when full

A Healthy, Balanced Diet in Addition to Other Approaches Work Best

This information may seem both encouraging and frustrating. On one hand, it’s easier when kids don’t have to follow a restricted diet.  On the other hand, not having a single, tangible “fix” can be discouraging.

In our Pancreas Care Center, we have found that a healthy, well-balanced diet in tandem with other approaches work best. These may include taking digestive enzymes, vitamins, medicines, and pain management techniques. Sometimes endoscopic procedures or surgery are recommended to improve the negative effects caused by pancreatitis.  I recommend finding a team that encompasses different health specialists as defined by pancreas centers of excellence to address your child’s unique set of needs and to determine an individualized care plan.

To learn more about our approaches for treating pediatric pancreatitis, please call 513-803-2123 or fill out an online form for more information.

Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Related Articles

7 Tips for Making Mealtimes Less Stressful
7 Tips for Making Mealtimes Less Stressful
Using Research to Help Kids Make Healthy Dietary Choices at School and Home
Using Research to Help Kids Make Healthy Dietary Choices at School and Home
Healthy Breakfast For Children: Why Is It So Important?
Healthy Breakfast For Children: Why Is It So Important?
Tackling the Grocery: Tips for Saving Time, Money, and Making Healthy Choices
Tackling the Grocery: Tips for Saving Time, Money, and Making Healthy Choices
TAGS:
  • eating healthy
  • pancreatic disorders
  • pancreatitis
Avatar photo

About the author: Christie Heinzman, APRN

Christie Heinzman, DNP, APRN is an acute care certified pediatric nurse practitioner in the Pancreas Care Center at Cincinnati Children’s.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • How We Do It
  • Learning and Growing
  • Meet The Team
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient Stories
  • Pin of the Week
  • Radiology
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What Makes Us Different
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Sign up to get new blog updates delivered to your email.

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 1.9k views
  • Caring for the Caregivers of Children with Congenital Heart Disease  1.1k views
  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 853 views
  • 4 Questions to Ask When Your Child Has Recurrent Croup 789 views
  • Laryngomalacia: Is My Child’s Noisy Breathing Serious? 656 views
  • Is it safe for my child with braces to have an MRI? 487 views
About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2022 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center