Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine normal liver and spleen size variations in school-age children by US. Sonographic measurements were taken with an age and sex stratified random sample of 358 healthy children (188 boys, 170 girls) between the ages of 7 and 12 years. The weight and height of the children were assessed and then the body surface area (BSA) of each child was calculated. The size of the liver was measured in two different planes: the subcostal sagittal (L1), and subcostal semiaxial (L2). Spleen size was measured through a coronal view that included the hilum (S1) and the longest longitudinal length (S2). Although there was no significant correlation between the age, weight and BSA of the children and liver and spleen size, there was a significant correlation between L1 and BSA, and between S2 and BSA. There was a correlation between L1 and S2 when the liver and spleen measurements were compared. In the girls, a significant increase was found in the size of liver and spleen between the age of 8 and 9. Spleen size decreased significantly in girls after the age of 10. Among the school-aged children there were no statistically significant differences in the size of the liver and spleen. We recommend the use of L1 and S2 in liver and spleen measurements in comparison with BSA.

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