This case report describes a pregnant woman who developed a serious condition called acute pancreatitis caused by extremely high levels of fat (triglycerides) in her blood. During pregnancy, the body naturally changes how it handles fats, and in rare cases, these levels can become dangerously high and damage the pancreas—an organ that helps digest food. The 26-year-old woman experienced severe stomach pain and vomiting and required intensive medical care. Doctors treated her with insulin and omega-3 supplements to lower her fat levels. While this condition is uncommon, it’s important for pregnant women and their doctors to recognize the warning signs because it can affect both mother and baby.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: A single case of a pregnant woman who developed severe pancreas inflammation caused by extremely high fat levels in her blood
  • Who participated: One 26-year-old pregnant woman at 36 weeks of pregnancy who had a history of high cholesterol and fat levels
  • Key finding: The patient had fat levels above 1500 mg/dL (normal is under 150 mg/dL), which caused her pancreas to become inflamed and painful. Treatment with insulin and omega-3 fatty acids helped manage the condition, and both mother and baby survived.
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant and have a family history of high cholesterol or high fat levels, talk to your doctor about monitoring these levels. Severe stomach pain during pregnancy should always be checked by a doctor. This condition is rare but serious, so early detection matters.

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors documented the medical story of one patient in detail. The 26-year-old woman came to the hospital with sudden severe pain in her upper stomach and repeated vomiting at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Doctors ran blood tests and imaging scans to figure out what was wrong. They discovered her triglyceride levels (a type of fat in the blood) were extremely high—more than 10 times the normal amount. This high level had caused her pancreas to become inflamed and swollen, a condition called acute pancreatitis.

The doctors admitted her to the intensive care unit where a team of specialists worked together to treat her. They used insulin injections to help her body process the excess fat and gave her omega-3 supplements (healthy fats that can help lower triglyceride levels). They also modified her diet and monitored both her health and her baby’s health closely.

The patient eventually left the hospital before doctors recommended (against medical advice) but was given antibiotics to take at home. She later had a planned cesarean section delivery, and both she and her baby survived.

Case reports are important because they document rare medical situations that doctors might not see often. By sharing this case, doctors can help other healthcare providers recognize similar problems in their own patients. This helps with early diagnosis and treatment, which can save lives.

This is a single case report, which is the lowest level of scientific evidence. It describes what happened to one person, not what typically happens to many people. We cannot assume this will happen to all pregnant women with high fat levels. However, it does highlight an important rare complication that doctors should watch for. The case is well-documented with medical details and test results, which makes it reliable for describing this particular patient’s experience.

What the Results Show

The patient presented with sudden, severe pain in the upper middle part of her stomach and vomited multiple times. Blood tests showed her triglyceride level was above 1500 mg/dL, which is extremely high (normal is below 150 mg/dL). Imaging tests confirmed she had acute pancreatitis—inflammation of the pancreas. This is a serious condition because the inflamed pancreas can stop working properly and cause life-threatening complications.

The medical team treated her with insulin injections, which help the body process excess fat and lower triglyceride levels. They also gave her omega-3 fatty acids (a type of healthy fat supplement) and changed her diet to avoid high-fat foods. She was monitored closely in the intensive care unit with continuous checks of her blood work and her baby’s health.

After treatment, her condition stabilized enough that she was discharged from the hospital. She was given antibiotics to take at home to prevent infection. Later, doctors decided to deliver her baby through a planned cesarean section (surgical delivery) rather than waiting for natural labor, considering both her health condition and the baby’s maturity.

The case notes that the patient had a history of high cholesterol and fat levels before pregnancy, which made her more likely to develop this severe complication. The pregnancy itself made her triglyceride levels even higher because pregnancy naturally changes how the body handles fats. The combination of her genetic tendency toward high fat levels plus the metabolic changes of pregnancy created a dangerous situation. Both mother and baby survived, though the patient left the hospital earlier than doctors recommended.

This case fits with what doctors already know about hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis in pregnancy. Medical literature shows this is a rare but serious complication that usually occurs in women who already have high cholesterol or high fat levels before becoming pregnant. The treatment approach used here—insulin and omega-3 fatty acids—is consistent with standard medical practice for managing severe triglyceride elevation during pregnancy.

This is a single case, so we cannot know how common this problem is or how it might affect different people. We don’t know the long-term outcomes for this mother and baby. The patient left the hospital against medical advice, so we don’t have complete information about her full recovery. Case reports describe what happened to one person but cannot tell us what will happen to others in similar situations. More research with larger groups of patients would be needed to understand this condition better.

The Bottom Line

If you are pregnant and have a family history of high cholesterol or high fat levels, ask your doctor to check your triglyceride levels regularly (moderate confidence). If you experience severe stomach pain, vomiting, or other unusual symptoms during pregnancy, seek immediate medical attention (high confidence). If you have very high triglyceride levels during pregnancy, work with your doctor on a treatment plan that may include dietary changes, supplements, or medication like insulin (moderate confidence).

Pregnant women with a personal or family history of high cholesterol or high fat levels should be especially aware of this condition. Women with genetic conditions that cause very high triglycerides should discuss pregnancy planning with their doctors. All pregnant women should know that severe stomach pain is not normal and needs immediate medical evaluation. This condition is rare, so most pregnant women do not need to worry about it, but awareness helps with early detection.

If high triglyceride levels are caught and treated early in pregnancy, they can often be managed with diet, supplements, and medication. Improvement in symptoms typically occurs within days to weeks of starting treatment. However, severe cases may require intensive hospital care. The goal is to prevent complications like pancreatitis from developing.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you have high triglyceride levels, track your daily fat intake (grams) and any stomach symptoms in your health app. Log weekly triglyceride test results if available. Record any episodes of pain, nausea, or vomiting with their severity on a 1-10 scale.
  • Work with your doctor to set a target daily fat intake and log your meals to stay within that limit. Add omega-3 rich foods (like fish) or supplements as recommended. Set reminders for any medications prescribed. Schedule and attend all recommended blood work appointments.
  • Create a monthly review of triglyceride trends and symptom patterns. Share this data with your healthcare provider at each visit. Set alerts for any concerning symptoms that need immediate medical attention. Track medication adherence and any side effects.

This case report describes one patient’s experience and should not be considered medical advice. Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis during pregnancy is a rare but serious condition. If you are pregnant and experience severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. If you have a personal or family history of high cholesterol or high triglycerides, discuss pregnancy planning and monitoring with your healthcare provider before conception. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Always consult with your obstetrician or healthcare provider about your individual health situation.