title: Normal liver size measurement in Ethiopian children below thirteen years of age, Black Lion Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ultrasound is an easy, safe and accurate imaging modality. It helps in safe evaluation of liver and measure the size to determine the normal value. Normal value for liver size by ultrasound has to be determined in different age group and its variation with sex, height and weight has to be seen to detect hepatomegally. Studies done on the normal size of the liver by ultrasound are limited in Ethiopian children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate normal range of liver size in children below 13 years of age and determine variation of liver size with age, sex, height and weight.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was done, among 384 children (236 males and 148 females) below 13 years of age. The study was done at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Teaching Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Age, sex, height and weight recorded, and liver size was measured along mid clavicular line and mid sternal line. Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression model were used to assess the relationship between age, sex height and weight and liver size.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The liver size increased progressively from birth to 13 years with accelerated growth in the first year. Mean (SD) of liver size on mid clavicular line were 9.46cm (1.77)and range was 8.6, and on mid sternal line Mean (SD) were 4.6 (1.14) and the range was 5.1. It had statistically significant correlation (p< 0.05) with age, height and weight, with strong correlation with height. But there were no significant difference in liver size seen between male and female.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrated the normal range of liver size. It also showed the variation in liver size with age, sex, height and weight, with best correlation to height, but no variation in liver size between males and females. This study can be used as a background for further study of large population.
authors.affiliation: Hawassa University, Collage of Medicine and Health Sciences, Radiology Unit, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Harmit Haile
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Balcha
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Admassi
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014463:Ultrasonography