title: Reference ranges for sonographic dimensions of the liver and spleen in preterm infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preterm infants usually have multiple comorbidities that affect spleen and liver. Ultrasonographic measurement of organ sizes is an important and reliable parameter in evaluation of spleen and liver pathology in preterm newborns.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine reference values of ultrasonographic measurements of the liver and spleen in preterm newborns.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively performed sonography on 498 preterm newborns in the first week of life. We measured spleen and liver dimensions and statistically analyzed relationships between the dimensions and gender, gestational age (based on mother's last menstrual period), height and weight. Reference ranges of dimensions were defined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Longitudinal and anteroposterior dimensions of the liver and spleen were statistically significantly different between the boys and girls (P < 0.05) and showed high correlation with the gestational age, weight and height. Weight was the parameter best correlated with the dimensions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nomograms from these data are useful for sonographic evaluation of the liver and spleen in preterm newborns.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, The Ministry of Health Tepecik Teaching and Research Hospital, Gaziler Street, Yenisehir, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Zelal
authors: Z
authors: Kahramaner
authors: Aydin
authors: A
authors: Erdemir
authors: Ebru
authors: E
authors: Cicek
authors: Hese
authors: H
authors: Cosar
authors: Ebru
authors: E
authors: Turkoglu
authors: Sumer
authors: S
authors: Sutcuoglu
authors: Esra Arun
authors: EA
authors: Ozer
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
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