F Vázquez López et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026;83:79–86. Hyperamylasaemia in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease: Aetiology, outcomes and genetic determinants

Methods: This was a retrospective study with 334 pediatric patients, followed for ≥2 years (study duration was 7 years). Elevated amylase was considered to be above the laboratory’s reference range (102 U/L).

Key findings:

• Hyperamylasaemia was found in 62/334 patients (18.6%), with 29% of these presenting at diagnosis
• Hyperamylasaemia resolved in 77% of patients; in the majority (85%), spontaneously and in the remainder after medication withdrawal
• One patient developed acute pancreatitis and one had recurrent pancreatitis

My take: It is best to avoid routinely checking an amylase if pancreatitis is not suspected; it could lead to ‘a wild goose chase.’ Most cases of elevated amylase are benign and self-limiting.

Related blog posts:

• Acute Pancreatitis in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• How to Improve the Value of Biologic Infusions: Reduce Lab Testing and Frequency
• How to Upgrade Pancreas Care –Jay Freeman MD (Part 1)
• How to Upgrade Pancreas Care –Jay Freeman MD (Part 2)