Pancreatic function and disease in infancy and childhood.

Normal development of the pancreas is of great importance in the neonate 
and infant. This review evaluates the development of exocrine pancreatic function, 
the hormonal control of this function, the interrelationship of pancreatic enzymes 
and pancreatic adaptation to food. The functional changes that occur in 
different disease processes of the pancreas affecting the infant will also 
be discussed. Since the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency with orally 
administered pancreatic enzymes in children is often more difficult than expected, 
the practical approach to enzyme treatment will be discussed. The morphological 
development and congenital malformations of the pancreas, tumors of the pancreas, 
the normal function of the exocrine pancreas, the development of the 
exocrine pancreatic function, developmental aspects of amylase activity and starch digestion, 
dietary adaptation of the exocrine pancreas, pancreatic function tests, pancreatic insufficiency, 
cystic fibrosis, Shwachman syndrome, isolated pancreatic enzyme deficiencies, the treatment of 
exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatitis in childhood, and the treatment of acute 
pancreatitis are discussed. 