Abstract

Acute Pancreatitis (AP) in pregnancy is a rare but serious event occurring between 3 in 10000 pregnancies. The spectrum of AP in pregnancy varies from mild to severe pancreatitis. Severe pancreatitis might be associated with multiple organ failure, pancreatic abscess, pseudocyst and necrosis. The commonest cause for AP in pregnancy is gallstones (60%-100%). Signs and symptoms of gall bladder disease precedes acute pancreatitis. The diagnosis is usually difficult due to physiological changes in pregnancy.The clinical features, laboratory investigations like serum amylase and lipase and imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography helps in diagnosis. Mild AP in pregnancy is usually managed conservativelywhile severe AP requires management in intensive care unit. Therapeutic modalities like endoscopic sphincterotomy, biliary stenting and laparoscopic cholecystectomy are major milestones in management of severe acute pancreatitis in pregnancy.When properly managed AP in pregnancy is not associated with bad prognosis as in past.