Summer Vacation Spotlight – Pediatric Pancreatic Patients

Revolutionary EPI diagnostics

While Fecal Elastase (FE-1) is the most common diagnostic method for EPI in pediatric patients, this test lacks the necessary sensitivity to diagnose anything less than severe or complete loss of pancreatic function.¹ Alternatively, there are more sensitive tests including Dreiling tube test (DTT) and endoscopic pancreatic function tests (ePFT).^1,2 But while the Dreiling tube test was considered the standard for EPI diagnosis it is largely invasive, specialized, and time consuming, and therefore not widely accessible to families.² ePFTs are less specialized, requiring only an upper endoscopy and a few minutes of fluid collection where the DTT requires 60-80 minutes of fluid collection.² However, both methods are still invasive for the patient, requiring fasting and sedation in addition to requiring specialized handling of the samples.²

Encouraging progress has been made in recent years with the use of secretin-stimulated endoscopic pancreatic function testing (ePFT). This method involves collecting pancreatic fluid in four timed samples over a 10-minute period to evaluate pancreatic enzyme activity and bicarbonate levels.¹ While promising, additional research is still needed to determine the optimal collection times and cutoff values for enzyme activity. Nevertheless, this represents another important step toward achieving quantifiable results for the early detection of pancreatic insufficiency.

Another relatively new EPI diagnostic method, sMRCP, is being researched for its increased efficacy, sensitivity, and accessibility, bringing much-needed hope to patients and the community. With a sMRCP (secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) the patient is merely submitted to an MRI while secretin is injected intravenously.² The addition of secretin to the MRI creates a dynamic image where medical professionals normally have a static one, allowing them to externally watch the pancreas’ response to secretin. The more unhealthy the pancreas, the less fluid that is produced in reaction to secretin.² While this method can be used to determine the functionality of the pancreas and potentially the etiology of dysfunction, the promise of a more widely available, less invasive diagnostic method for EPI is a game changer for pediatric pancreatology.²

Continued support of pediatric patients through sponsoring Camp Hope

ChiRhoClin, Inc. is delighted to continue our support for Camp Hope, a free specialty summer camp for pediatric patients with various types and stages of pancreatic diseases. Taking place at Morgan’s Campground in Texas every June, Camp Hope combines traditional summer camp activities with niche medical equipment and staff to provide an all-inclusive sleep-away camp for pediatric patients who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate in such cherished childhood memories.

At Camp Hope, instead of worrying poolside about surgical scars, campers and counselors alike show them off as a badge of honor. Need IV medication? No problem! No one bats an eye and there’s no need to stop the fun! According to the National Pancreas Foundation (who organizes the retreat), Camp Hope proved it has what it takes to meet the needs of these inherently high-risk kids over this past summer, when, despite more than 170 medical building visits between 95 campers, intervention from the in-house specialty medical team prevented anyone from having to visit the ER. Not only does this reduce the burden on hospitals and financial resources but it also saves precious memory-making moments during an ever-finite summer break.

A summer camp experience is something every child deserves; ChiRhoClin is proud to support the National Pancreas Foundation and Camp Hope in their efforts to fulfill that dream.