Research at the Pancreatic Disorders Center

At UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, we're pursuing the future of pediatric pancreatitis care. And the future starts with research.

Children's Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis (INSPPIRE 2) Study

The Pancreatic Disorders Center at UPMC Children's is one of several centers taking part in the INSPPIRE 2 study.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, this research study will teach us more about:

  • How long it takes to go from acute recurrent to chronic pancreatitis.
  • How many kids with pancreatitis have stomach pain, and if it's constant or on and off.
  • How many kids with pancreatitis end up in the ER or hospital.
  • How pancreatitis affects a child's blood glucose and pancreatic enzymes.
  • How it affects a child's ability to go to school.

This data will help doctors learn how chronic pancreatitis affects a child's health and life. And, in turn, find new and better ways to treat it.

UPMC Children's Dr. Madhura Phadke is the principal researcher for INSPPIRE 2. Dr. Douglas Lindblad is the co-principal.

How can my child sign up for the acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis (INSPPIRE 2) research study?

If your child has acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis, they can enroll in the INSPPIRE 2 study through age 18.

At enrollment, they will fill out a pediatric pancreatitis questionnaire. If possible, they will repeat the questionnaire once a year for four years until they reach age 21 or longer.

Once a year, they'll have baseline testing. This includes giving a blood, saliva, stool, and urine sample.

Contact the Pancreatic Disorders Center

The Pancreatic Center at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is here for your family.

Your child doesn't need a doctor's referral to come to us for care.

Call us at 412-692-5180 to learn more.

Our address:

UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
4401 Penn Ave., Floor 3
Pittsburgh, PA 15224