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World J Clin Pediatr. Dec 9, 2025; 14(4): 109615
Published online Dec 9, 2025. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v14.i4.109615
Quality of life in children with chronic pancreatitis: An overlooked challenge
Ankit Agrawal, Arghya Samanta
Ankit Agrawal, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Post Graduate Institute of Child Health, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
Arghya Samanta, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata 700020, West Bengal, India
Author contributions: Agrawal A did literature review, conception and design of the study, acquisition of data, drafting the manuscript, critical revisions of important intellectual content; Samanta A conception and design of the study, co-drafting the manuscript, critical revisions of important intellectual content. Both authors approved the final version of manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Arghya Samanta, DM, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Kolkata 700020, West Bengal, India. arghyasamanta2905@gmail.com
Received: May 19, 2025
Revised: June 16, 2025
Accepted: September 10, 2025
Published online: December 9, 2025
Processing time: 167 Days and 22.2 Hours
Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is no longer considered a disease of adults alone; it is increasingly being recognized in children as well. It is a chronic inflammatory condition of the pancreas that can lead to exocrine and endocrine insufficiency over time. The clinical aspects and medical management of pediatric CP are often discussed; however, its impact on the quality of life (QOL) remains largely unaddressed in routine clinical care. The review focus on physical, emotional, educational, and social challenges experienced by children with CP and their families. Pain-related disability, frequent hospitalizations, and the risk of developing exocrine and endocrine insufficiency significantly affect daily functioning and mental well-being. Therefore, improving QOL in children with CP requires a multidisciplinary care strategy, including effective pain management, nutritional optimization, and psychological support.

Keywords: Chronic pancreatitis; Quality of life; Children; Pain; Challenges

Core Tip: With advancements in the field, our knowledge has expanded in understanding and managing pediatric chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, its impact on quality of life (QOL) is often overlooked. Our aim is to shift our attention from the clinical aspects to real-life experiences faced by children. We highlight how the CP affects different domains of QOL. By exploring the available evidence, the review calls for the integration of QOL assessment into routine clinical care and advocates for a multidisciplinary approach. Recognizing and addressing these hidden burdens is essential to truly improving care for pediatric CP beyond symptom control.