title: Varicella zoster virus: a rare cause of acute pancreatitis in an immunocompetent child.
abstract: A 15-year-old girl with a diagnosis of varicella zoster virus (VZV) presented to hospital with severe abdominal pain. This patient was immunocompetent and found to have acute pancreatitis in association with VZV. She responded well to intravenous acyclovir and supportive treatment. A review of the literature for the management of pancreatitis associated with VZV suggests treatment with acyclovir, as it appears to reduce hospital stay and symptoms. The exact benefit is yet to be quantified. Importantly, this diagnosis should be considered in children who have VZV associated with abdominal pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Auckland University, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Suheelan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kulasegaran
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Jane
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vasquez
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hulme-Moir
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir