Unmasking the Hidden Threat: a Case and Review of Primary Hyperparathyroidism-Induced Pancreatitis Diagnosed in Pregnancy.

UNLABELLED

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a very well-documented and understood endocrine pathology that includes the overproduction of parathyroid hormone, leading to an exaggerated effect of hypercalcemia. However, its prevalence leading to pancreatitis, specifically in pregnant patients, is underreported and widely undiagnosed. In this case, we present a case of a 23-year-old female in her second pregnancy who presented with pancreatitis after already being treated and diagnosed with pancreatitis in her first pregnancy. It was later discovered that this patient had a nodule believed to be a parathyroid adenoma. We believe this parathyroid adenoma alone could have gone unnoticed, but with concurrent changes and physiology of pregnancy, caused a significant burden of pancreatitis on our patient, not only in one pregnancy, but in both of her pregnancies.

LEARNING POINTS

Hyperparathyroidism is rarely diagnosed in pregnancy and is widely unrecognized.This carries threats to mother and baby, which include pancreatitis.If a parathyroid adenoma is present, surgical removal in the second trimester is the preferred treatment.