FIRST-TRIMESTER PANCREATITIS - MATERNAL AND NEONATAL OUTCOME

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and maternal-fetal outcome of fi rst-trimester pancreatitis at one institution. STUDY DESIGN: A retrosp ective study of pancreatitis presenting during the first trimester of pregnancy over a 10-year period at Magee Womens Hospital. RESULTS: The re 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 adv erse 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 cholec ystectomy during pregnancy (mean number of admissions, 2.27+/-2.1). CO NCLUSION: Patients should be advised of the relapsing nature of pancre atitis that presents during the first trimester. However, there is a g ood prognosis for pregnancy outcome.