Intest Res.  2019 Jan;17(1):144-148. 10.5217/ir.2018.00104.

Acute pancreatitis associated with indigo naturalis in pediatric severe Crohn’s disease

• Kim HA
• Suh HR
• Kang B
• Choe BH
• on behalf of Crohn's and Colitis Association in DaeguGyeongbuk (CCAiD)

• KMID: 2438453
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2018.00104

Abstract

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rapidly increasing worldwide. Indigo naturalis is known to have an antiinflammatory effect. Indigo naturalis has been traditionally used in the treatment of IBD in China and Japan. Currently, it is used as a primary or adjunctive drug in patients with ulcerative colitis. There are some reports of the effects of indigo naturalis when used in patients with ulcerative colitis. However, its usage has been associated with adverse events, including liver dysfunction, headache, gastrointestinal disturbance, and pulmonary hypertension. Pancreatitis as an adverse event during treatment using indigo naturalis has not yet been reported. We report a case of recurrent events of pancreatitis that occurred briefly after starting medication with indigo naturalis in a child with severe Crohn's disease. The pancreatitis improved after indigo naturalis was discontinued in 2 events. This is the first case to report the association between pancreatitis and indigo naturalis in the English literature.

Keyword

Crohn disease; Inflammatory bowel disease; Pancreatitis; Child; Kampo

MeSH Terms

Child
China
Colitis, Ulcerative
Crohn Disease
Headache
Humans
Hypertension, Pulmonary
Incidence
Indigo Carmine*
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Japan
Liver Diseases
Medicine, Kampo
Pancreatitis*
Indigo Carmine