title: Thymus size in infants from birth until 24 months of age evaluated by ultrasound. A longitudinal prediction model for the thymic index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To do a follow-up sonography assessment of the thymic size in infants at an age of 24 months, and to create a longitudinal prediction model for the thymic index covering all ages from birth to 24 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 37 infants examined in an earlier investigation, 34 attended a 24-month follow-up examination. The thymic index, a volume estimate, was assessed by sonography and compared to clinical variables, breast-feeding status and illness. The longitudinal prediction model was based on data throughout 2 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant relation between the thymic index and the clinical variables, breast-feeding status or illness at 24 months. An overall test for the effect of breast-feeding status at 4 months for infants from 0-24 months was significant, as was the actual body length of the infants from 0-8 months. Prediction models were estimated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on a 24-month longitudinal sonography study, prediction models are presented whereby the thymic size, as an index, can be predicted at all times from birth to 24 months of age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hasselbalch
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ersbøll
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jeppesen
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development; D014463:Ultrasonography