The most common cause of acute pancreatitis in childhood is which of the following?

c. Trauma

Although adult pancreatitis is usually related to cholelithiasis or alcohol ingestion, pediatric causes are considerably more varied in etiology. Fifty to 70% of childhood acute pancreatitis is either idiopathic or posttraumatic in origin. Trauma is the single most common cause of acute pancreatitis in childhood. Cholelithiasis is an important etiology in the adolescent population and in children with hemotologic disorders. Annular pancreas normally is associated with duodenal atresia and produces neonatal duodenal obstruction, but not acute pancreatitis. Pancreas divisum is an anatomic variation present in 10% to 15% of normal children that is occasionally the cause of acute pancreatitis. Valproic acid is an important anticonvulsant used in pediatric neurology. One of its possible complications is the development of acute pancreatitis or necrotizing pancreatitis. Fortunately, this is rare as it is often lethal.