Etiological spectrum and clinical outcomes of paediatric patients with fever and hepatosplenomegaly: a retrospective study from a tertiary care center
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20261537Keywords:
Fever, Hepatosplenomegaly, Infections, Etiology, Retrospective studyAbstract
Background: Fever with hepatosplenomegaly is a common presentation in children. Etiologies range from infectious, hematological, malignancies and storage disorders. Early identification of underlying cause is crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Methods: A hospital based retrospective observational study conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Navodaya Medical College, Raichur for a duration of 6 months with sample size of 150. Children from 1 month - 18 years of age with medical records including laboratory tests indicating both fever and hepatosplenomegaly on clinical or radiological examination were included.
Results: The most common etiology was infectious (65%) including malaria (34.02%), dengue (28.88%), and enteric fever (19.58%), followed by hematological disorders (24.66%) and congestive (8%). Mean age was between 1 month and 5 years of age years (46%), with slight male predominance (58%).
Conclusions: Infections are the leading cause of fever with hepatosplenomegaly in children. A structured diagnostic approach can aid in early identification of serious conditions like leukemia or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
References
Kliegman RM, St Geme JW. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier. 2020.
Srivastava A, Jagadisan B, Yachha SK. Diseases of Gastrointestinal System and Liver. Paul VK, Bagga A. Ghai Essential Paediatrics, 8th edition, CBS Publishers. 2013:278-9.
World Health Organization. World Malaria Report 2023. Geneva: WHO; 2023. Available at: https:// www.who.int/teams/global-malaria-programme/ reports/world-malaria-report-2023. Accessed on 18 February 2026.
World Health Organization. Dengue Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Control. 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/ item/9789241547871. Accessed on 18 February 2026.
Champatiray J, Panigrahi D, Mondal D, Satpathy SK. Study of aetiological profile, clinical presentation and outcome of hepatosplenomegaly in children between 1 month and 14 years. Int J Contemp Pediatr. 2017;4(3):927-32.
Anusha G, Somaiah G, Siddique AM, Srikanth B. Study of Etiological and Clinical Profile of Hepatosplenomegaly in Children between 1 Month and 15 Years of Age. Scholars J Appl Med Sci. 2014;2(2A):554-7.
Bricks LF, Cocozza AM, Resegue R, Sucupira AC, Rodrigues D, Kobinger ME. Experience in the evaluation of children with hepatosplenomegaly at a teaching ambulatory SAO Paulo, Brazil. Rev Inst Med Trop Saopaulo. 1998;40(5):269-75.
Martin A, Thompson AA. Thalassemias. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013;60(6):1383-91.
Balwierz W, Czogała M, Pawińska-Wasikowska K, Cwiklińska M, Walicka-Soja K. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: diagnostic problems in pediatrics. Przeglad lekarski, 2010;67(6):417-24.
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), India. Annual Vector-Borne Disease Reports. 2026. Available at: https://ncdc.gov.in. Accessed on 18 February 2026.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
