FIRST-TRIMESTER PANCREATITIS - MATERNAL AND NEONATAL OUTCOME

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and maternal-fetal outcome of first-trimester pancreatitis at one institution. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of pancreatitis presenting during the first trimester of pregnancy over a 10-year period at Magee Womens Hospital. RESULTS: There were 11 cases, for an incidence of 0.1/1,000 live births. There was no maternal mortality. Three patients elected voluntary termination, and eight pregnancies proceeded to term. All delivered at greater than or equal to 35 weeks. The mean gestational age was 38.9+/-2.1 weeks (mean+/-SD), and mean birth weight was 3,103+/-641 g. There were no adverse neonatal outcomes, although one patients had a fetus with severe intrauterine growth retardation. Maternal morbidity and complications were due mainly to gallstone pancreatitis, which was the most commonly identified cause of pancreatitis, and three patients underwent cholecystectomy during pregnancy (mean number of admissions, 2.27+/-2.1). CONCLUSION: Patients should be advised of the relapsing nature of pancreatitis that presents during the first trimester. However, there is a good prognosis for pregnancy outcome.