Acute Pancreatitis Secondary to Hypertriglyceridemia in Pregnancy: A Case Report

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis during pregnancy is a rare yet clinically important complication, with hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis accounting for approximately 4% of cases. A 24 years lady, BMI 22.7Kg/m2, primigravida at 35 weeks 2 days period of gestation presented to the emergency room with complaints of sudden onset of severe epigastric pain and multiple episodes of vomiting for two days. Reports showed serum amylase and lipase raised to 1014 U/L and 2500 U/L respectively. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels were 825 mg/dl and 325 mg/dl respectively. Ultrasonography of the abdomen showed an enlarged pancreas, and obstetric scan confirmed a live foetus. She was shifted to intensive care unit and managed by multidisciplinary team. She was shifted to obstetrics high risk pregnancy ward following 10 days of ICU admission and underwent induction of labor at 37 weeks of gestation. However, she ultimately required an emergency lower segment cesarean section at 37 weeks and 1 day of gestation due to failed induction. She had a good clinical outcome.