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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aims of this study were to correlate liver span measured clinically in healthy Egyptian children from 12 to 18 years of age in Dakahliah with ultrasound findings, and to obtain normal values of both liver and spleen spans in Egyptian children. Background A sound measurement of the liver size in children of different age groups is necessary to enable the pediatrician to exclude hepatomegaly. Participants and methods This study included 331 healthy Egyptian school children from Dakahliah, Aga district, from 12 to 18 years of age of both sexes (224 male and 107 female). The children underwent a complete physical examination and subsequent ultrasonographic scans were performed for the liver and spleen. The liver span in the midclavicular line was estimated clinically by palpation and percussion, both the liver and the spleen were measured by ultrasonography, and the values were tabulated and graphed. Results Normal values of liver and spleen measures were classified by age and sex; data were tabulated and graphed. There was a statistically significant correlation between clinical and ultrasound measures of liver span (midclavicular line, midsternal line) in healthy children. The liver span also correlated with body weight, height, and BMI and ultrasound spleen axis. Conclusion We could record a standard liver and spleen normogram on Egyptian children from 12 to 18 years of age. Also, clinical estimation of liver span showed a significant correlation with ultrasonographic findings in all our healthy children; thus, we can continue to use clinical methods for the evaluation of liver size in children.

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