[Pancreatico-peritoneal fistula in the newborn infant revealed by a hemorrhagic ascites].

Chronic haemorrhagic ascites in an infant is reported. After much hesitation without a definite diagnosis the first laparotomy was carried out and the estimation of amylase, lipase and proteolytic enzyme activities in the ascitic fluid suggested a pancreatic origin for the ascites. This was conformed at a second laparotomy when the condition was correted. This emphasises the importance of the estimation of pancreatic enzymes in unexplained ascites in children.