Post pancreatitis diabetes mellitus is an underrecognized disorder. Children with pancreatitis are at elevated risk for development of diabetes (DM) in the near term (approximately 9%), and lifetime risk of DM approaches 50%. Unfortunately, there is limited data regarding pathophysiology and disease course. This pilot study was undertaken to investigate glycemic physiology in the free-living state in children with acute recurrent (ARP) or chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Methods: Children (<21 years of age) with an established diagnosis of CP or ARP, and participants of INSPPIRE-2 (INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE) were invited to participate. Pancreatitis type, demographics and growth parameters were extracted from the INSPPIRE-2 database. HbA1c was collected. A continuous glucose monitor was placed (CGM, Dexcom Pro). Glycemic variability metrics were calculated at the participant level using EasyGV software. The relationship between HbA1c and CGM variables was evaluated via multiple linear regression.

Results: 12 children were enrolled, age 10-20.8 years (mean 17.2; 66% female). One subject had known DM prior to enrollment. Participants had normal mean height (0.19+/- 0.72 SD), weight (1.1 +/- 0.98SD) and BMI (0.98 +/- 0.81 SD) z-scores. Mean A1c was 5.73% (range 5.0-8.9) with the known diabetic and 5.42% (5.0-6.1) without. Mean CGM glucose was 121.8 mg/dl +/- 21.4. Of the 11 subjects without DM, 2 had CGM glucose >180 mg/dl > 10% time and 1 had CGM glucose <55 mg/dl > 1% time. HbA1c correlated with mean CGM glucose in univariate analysis and when controlled for age and BMI (p = 0.02, r2 = 0.47).

Conclusions: In this small study, A1c correlated well with average CGM glucose in children with ARP and CP, and some had abnormal glycemic excursions on CGM. More research is needed on the use of CGM in children with CP and ARP.

Disclosure

M.G.Parra villasmil: None. M.Bellin: Consultant; Insulet Corporation, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Research Support; Dexcom, Inc., ViaCyte, Inc. C.Pinnaro: None. K.L.Ode: None.

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