Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy following COVID-19 vaccine: a case report

Abstract

Background Since the approval of the Pfizer–BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 infection, a few adverse effects have been reported. Acute pancreatitis has been reported in a few patients. However, there is currently no research showing a direct relationship between the vaccine and acute pancreatitis. Here, we report a case of acute pancreatitis following Pfizer vaccination in a young healthy pregnant woman without any known risk factors. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of possible vaccine-induced pancreatitis in a pregnant woman. Case presentation The patient, a 24-year-old South-Asian female, at 31 weeks of gestation, presented with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back and worsening on lying supine, associated with nausea and vomiting. She was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis with a serum lipase level of 4376 U/L and an ultrasound showing features of pancreatitis. The patient received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine 1 week prior to these symptoms. Detailed evaluation did not show any etiological cause of pancreatitis. The patient had a spontaneous vaginal delivery and the baby was shifted to the neonatal intensive care unit in a stable condition. A computed tomography scan postpartum (day 2) demonstrated acute interstitial edematous pancreatitis. The patient was managed conservatively in the intensive care unit and discharged home in a stable condition. Conclusion This report highlights the importance of a detailed history and evaluation, and the close monitoring of any patient presenting with abdominal pain after vaccination. Acute pancreatitis can be fatal if not picked up early.

An unusual occurrence of autoimmune pancreatitis after gam‐Covid‐Vac (Sputnik V): A case report and literature review

“…As shown in Table 1, pancreatitis occurred after the first dose of the Covid‐19 vaccine in eight patients, 12,14,16,18–22 and after the second dose in four cases 15,17,23,25 . Two cases of acute pancreatitis were identified after the third booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid‐19 mRNA vaccine 13 .…”

“…The remaining case of pancreatitis was an AIP type I, occurring 1 month after administration of the mRNA-platform Covid-19 vaccine for which the brand type was not reported in the study. 25 As shown in Table 1, pancreatitis occurred after the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in eight patients, 12,14,16,[18][19][20][21][22] and after the second dose in four cases. 15,17,23,25 Two cases of acute pancreatitis were identified after the third booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 mRNA vaccine.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, 14 cases of pancreatitis have been reported after vaccination against SARS‐CoV‐2 12–25 . Twelve case reports of acute pancreatitis occurred within a brief period (10 hours to 7 days) administration of the mRNA vaccine (Pfizer‐BioNTech) 16–22 .…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, 14 cases of pancreatitis have been reported after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Twelve case reports of acute pancreatitis occurred within a brief period (10 hours to 7 days) administration of the mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech). [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] An isolated case of acute pancreatitis was thought to be related to inactivated Covid-19 vaccine (Sinopharm BIBP).…”

Necrotizing pancreatitis, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia following the second dose of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

“…Pancreatitis after COVID-19 vaccination has been reported from 6 female and 4 male patients with an age range from 14 to 96 years [ 2 – 11 ]. In 6 reported cases, pancreatitis occurred after the first vaccination [ 2 , 4 , 6 – 9 ], in 3 patients after the second vaccination [ 3 , 5 , 11 ] and in 1 patient after the third vaccination [ 10 ]. The interval between vaccination and onset of symptoms ranged from few hours [ 10 ] to 2 months [ 11 ].…”