ArticleBMC pediatrics2021
Normal sonographic liver and spleen dimensions in a central European pediatric population.
Article in BMC pediatrics, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 17 citations in OpenAlex.
- A systematic review of ultrasound to predict severe disease in patients with dengue and other viral infections associated with hemorrhagic fevers.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Pooled it
- Imaging assessment and interventional management of paediatric portal hypertension: an update.Pediatric radiology · 2026Review
- Sonographic pediatric liver size standards based on generalized additive modeling in a diverse population.Pediatric radiology · 2026Article
- Case series: a rare dominant form of β-thalassemia successfully treated by luspatercept.Annals of hematology · 2026Article
- Structural and functional hepatic factors as prognostic indicators in children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Article
- Ultrasound assessment of larynx and trachea in the neonatal period-reference values.European radiology · 2026Observational
- Prognostic models of multisystem inflammatory syndrome severity according to resource availability in healthcare facilities in Ukraine.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2026Article
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- Case Report: Two years of compassionate use with Olipudase-alfa in a child with neurovisceral acid sphingomyelinase deficiency.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2024Article
- Age-related prevalence and imaging characteristics of the superior acetabular roof notch in children, adolescents, and young adults.Skeletal radiology · 2024Article
- Association between ocular axial length and anthropometrics of Asian adults.BMC research notes · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundOrgan size is influenced by a number of factors. Age, height, weight, and ethnicity are known influencing factors. Pediatric populations have changed over time, puberty beginning earlier resulting in a changing growth pattern of their organs. Hence, contemporary charts using local data are considered the most appropriate for a given population. Sonographic charts for liver size for a predominantly Caucasian population are limited, which has implications for clinical practice. The aim of this study was to define a contemporary normative range of liver and spleen sizes for a healthy, predominantly Caucasian population and for all pediatric age groups (0-18 years) and to investigate whether there is a size difference between genders and ethnicities.
methodsRetrospective study including children with normal sonographic findings and no evidence of liver or splenic disease clinically. Craniocaudal and anteroposterior dimensions are measured for the right and left lobe of the liver, and craniocaudal dimension for the spleen. Relationship of the liver and spleen dimensions with age, body length, body surface area, weight, and gender were investigated. Charts of normal values were established. Values were compared to studies involving other ethnicities and to one study carried out in 1983 involving the same ethnicity.
resultsSeven hundred thirty-six children (371 boys, 365 girls) aged 1 day - 18.4 years were included. From the second year of life, the craniocaudal dimension of the right lobe of the liver is 1-2 cm larger in the Central European population compared with non-Caucasian populations at a given age. Liver size of Central European children in 2020 is greater compared to a similar population almost 40 years ago. The craniocaudal dimension of the spleen of Central European, US-American and Turkish children is similar. The difference between genders is statistically significant for both the liver and the spleen, being larger in boys.
conclusionContemporary and ethnically appropriate reference charts for liver and spleen measurements should be used, especially for liver size. The effect of ethnicity is reduced if patient height rather than age is referenced.
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