Spleen length in childhood with ultrasound normal based on age at Tikur Anbessa Hospital.
BACKGROUND
Spleen is a hemopoetic organ which is capable of supporting elements of different systems. Determination of pathologic changes in size of spleen necessitates knowing the normal range of dimensions in healthy neonates, infant, and children.


OBJECTIVE
The study was done with the purpose of estimating normal spleen measurement in pediatric subjects.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional prospective study conducted among children from birth up to 15 yrs at Black Lion and St. Paulos Hospital from May 2005 up to November 2005.


RESULTS
Among 152 children 86 (56.6%) of the study subjects were males and the rest 66 (43.4%) were females. In addition 54 (35.5%) were above eight years and 98 (64.5%) were less than or equal to eight years. The average spleen size for children 0-3 and 3-6 months, 10-12 and 12-14 years were 5.6 cm, 6 cm, 11.2 cm and 11.97 cm respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The length of the spleen and left kidney are equivalent at birth and grow with almost equal rate with the age of the subject. The ratio of the spleen-to-left kidney is almost one at all age groups, which can be helpful in case there is doubt of splenomegally.
Kebede
Tesfaye
T
Department of Radiology, Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Admassie
Daniel
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development; D014463:Ultrasonography