Pediatric pancreatic fluid collections

What are pediatric pancreatic fluid collections?

Children who have acute (sudden) or chronic (ongoing) pancreatitis may develop pancreatic fluid collections as a result. These fluid collections typically form into a pseudocyst (fluid-filled mass). In this case, the mass is filled with pancreatic juices that have leaked out of the pancreatic duct.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric pancreatic fluid collections?

Sometimes, pancreatic fluid collections cause no symptoms.

When symptoms occur, they may include:

• Abdominal pain 

• Deep ache in the abdomen

• Feeling of being bloated

• Fever

• Indigestion

What are the causes of pediatric pancreatic fluid collections?

Most pancreatic fluid collections happen after a child has an episode of acute pancreatitis.

Other causes include:

• Chronic pancreatitis

• Injury to the pancreas

• Pancreatic cancer 

• Pancreas disease