Early Enteral Feeding in Acute Pancreatitis

Investigators from multiple institutions conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes in children with mild-to-moderate acute pancreatitis (AP) who were treated with initial fasting and IV fluids or with immediate feeding. Study participants were children 2-18 years old admitted with AP of <24 hours duration to 1 of 3 medical centers in Australia and Israel between 2015 and 2018. The diagnosis of AP was made using a standardized definition. Participants randomized to the fasting group were given nothing by mouth and received IV fluids, followed by a low-fat diet when their pain resolved and serum lipase and/or amylase levels decreased. Children assigned to the early feeding group were given an unrestricted diet and encouraged to eat as soon as possible. Data collected on study participants included …