Acute pancreatitis is a disease process initiated by various factors leading to secretion and activation of proteases. Clinically acute pancreatitis is divided into three forms: oedematous, necrotic and haemorrhagic. Aetiology, course and treatment differ between children and adults. The majority of children with acute pancreatitis have abdominal pain with vomiting. Acute pancreatitis can be suspected when together with symptoms a higher level of amylase is observed. Treatment of pancreatitis is based on therapy of dehydration, therapy of pain and nutritional treatment leading to a decrease of exocrine function of the pancreas and risk of complications.