In children, mumps is the most common cause of which condition?

In children, mumps is the most common cause of which condition?

• A. Asthma
• B. Acute pancreatitis
• C. Appendicitis
• D. Kidney stones

Answer: (A)

Mumps can involve organs beyond the salivary glands, including the pancreas. In children, this can lead to acute pancreatitis, a recognized complication of mumps. Pancreatitis presents with abdominal pain (often in the upper abdomen), sometimes vomiting, and elevated pancreatic enzymes. Treatment is supportive—fluids, pain control, and monitoring for complications—with most children recovering fully. The other conditions listed—asthma, appendicitis, and kidney stones—are not typical complications of mumps, so the association between mumps and acute pancreatitis is the one that best fits this scenario.

Mumps can involve organs beyond the salivary glands, including the pancreas. In children, this can lead to acute pancreatitis, a recognized complication of mumps. Pancreatitis presents with abdominal pain (often in the upper abdomen), sometimes vomiting, and elevated pancreatic enzymes. Treatment is supportive—fluids, pain control, and monitoring for complications—with most children recovering fully. The other conditions listed—asthma, appendicitis, and kidney stones—are not typical complications of mumps, so the association between mumps and acute pancreatitis is the one that best fits this scenario.