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.
Materials and 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.
Conclusion
Nomograms from these data are useful for sonographic evaluation of the liver and spleen in preterm newborns.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Konuş OL, Ozdemir A, Akkaya A et al (1998) Normal liver, spleen, and kidney dimensions in neonates, infants, and children: evaluation with sonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol 171:1693–1698
Rosenberg HK, Markowitz RI, Kolberg H et al (1991) Normal splenic size in infants and children: sonographic measurements. AJR Am J Roentgenol 157:119–121
Klippenstein DL, Zerin JM, Hirschl RB et al (1994) Splenic enlargement in neonates during ECMO. Radiology 190:411–412
Soyupak SK, Narli N, Yapicioğlu H et al (2002) Sonographic measurements of the liver, spleen and kidney dimensions in the healthy term and preterm newborns. Eur J Radiol 43:73–78
Megremis S, Alegakis A, Koropouli M (2007) Ultrasonographic spleen dimensions in preterm infants during the first 3 months of life. J Ultrasound Med 26:329–335
Dittrich M, Milde S, Dinkel E et al (1983) Sonographic biometry of liver and spleen size in childhood. Pediatr Radiol 13:206–211
Conflict of interest
None.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kahramaner, Z., Erdemir, A., Cicek, E. et al. Reference ranges for sonographic dimensions of the liver and spleen in preterm infants. Pediatr Radiol 43, 1464–1474 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-013-2729-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-013-2729-7