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The Benefits of Early Oral Nutrition in Mild Acute Pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether early patient-directed oral nutrition in children with mild acute pancreatitis decreases the length of hospitalization without increasing complications. STUDY DESIGN: Hospitalized patients aged 2-21 years of age who met the criteria for acute pancreatitis based on the Revised Atlanta Classification were enrolled prospectively and allowed to eat by mouth at their discretion (patient-directed nutrition [PDN]). These patients were compared with a retrospective cohort of children who were allowed to eat based on traditional practices (treatment team-directed nutrition [TTDN]). Outcomes included length of hospitalization, time nil per os (NPO), and complications within 30 days of discharge. RESULTS: The study included 30 patients in the PDN group and 92 patients in the TTDN group. Patients in the PDN group had a median length of stay of 48.5 hours (IQR 37-70 hours) compared with 93 hours (IQR 52-145 hours) in the TTDN group (P < .0001). Patients were NPO for a median of 14 hours (IQR 7-19.5 hours) in the PDN group compared with 34 hours (IQR 19.3-55 hours) in the TTDN group (P < .0001). No patients in the PDN group developed complications within 30 days of discharge. CONCLUSION: Early patient-directed oral nutrition in mild acute pancreatitis was well tolerated and resulted in decreased length of NPO status and hospitalization with no obvious complications. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01423786.