Training in Pancreatic Disease

Pancreatic disorders are uncommon in children. The clinical manifestations and the impact of pancreatic disorders on digestive and nutritional functions and growth are dependent on the developmental stage. This training program will aim that trainees understand the basic embryology, physiology, and pathophysiology of the pancreas in the developing infant and child and they will acquire a thorough understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric pancreatic diseases.

At the end of training the trainee will be able to:

• Diagnose, and treat both routine and unusual causes of acute and chronic pancreatic disorders in pediatric patients
• Understand the age-related differences in physiology, drug metabolism, nutritional requirements in the management of these disorders
• Understand the age-related differential diagnosis and management methods for the pediatric occurrence of pancreatic disorders
• Have a basic understanding of the surgical and radiologic therapies available for pediatric patients
• Learn the indications, interpretation and utility of pancreatic function testing and able to perform it
• Recognize acute pancreatitis, including recurrent acute pancreatitis, and its complications, such as pancreatic pseudocyst
• Diagnose chronic pancreatitis and treat its complications
• Recognize exocrine pancreatic insufficiencies including cystic fibrosis, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, Johanson Blizzard syndrome, Pearson marrow pancreas syndrome, Ivemark syndrome, pancreatic agenesis, pancreatic insufficiency associated with duodenal abnormalities, and treat these diseases
• Recognize the consequences of anatomic anomalies of the pancreas including annular pancreas and pancreas divisum
• Evaluate and manage the nutritional complications of pancreatic insufficiency
• Understand the value and role of radiologic and imaging procedures in the cost-effective, age-appropriate evaluation and management of pediatric pancreatic disorders
• Learn the role, indications, contraindications, interpretation, risks of ERCP and the potential therapeutic options available with this method
• Learn the pharmacology, indications, age-appropriate dosages, and side effects of common medications for treatment of pancreatic disorders, including pancreatic enzyme supplements