Assessment of pancreatic secretory function in children with cystic fibrosis in the Republic of Tatarstan

Aim. To assess the pancreatic secretion in children with cystic fibrosis. Methods. 38 children with cystic fibrosis aged from 1 to 18 years were included. Pancreatic elastase-1 stool level, as well as blood lipase and amylase activity were assessed by ELISA in 34 children. Results. Children were distributed to 3 groups depending on degree of elastase-1 stool level decrease: first group - with severe pancreatic insufficiency (50%), second group - with slight pancreatic insufficiency (8.8%), third group - with normal pancreatic function (41.2% of patients). Blood lipase and amylase activity was within normal ranges in all children, that can be explained by ongoing enzyme replacement treatment. The way to detect the elastase-1 stool level by ordinary non-invasive method seems to be very valuable, especially in pediatrics. Elastase test allows to reveal pancreatic malfunction without canceling enzyme replacement treatment and to supervise the pancreatic secretion. Conclusion. In children with cystic fibrosis pancreatic secretory function is affected in most of the cases. A combined examination including the elastase-1 stool level detection allows to assess the pancreatic status of patients with cystic fibrosis more precisely and to adjust the doses of pancreatic enzymes.

cystic fibrosis, pancreas, elastase-1, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, children