AbstractIntroduction: Liver disease in pediatric age group is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality and includes a broad spectrum of disorders such as infections, developmental abnormalities, metabolic and neoplastic disorders that finally results in hepatic dysfunction and cirrhosis [1] and may recover fully. Objective: 1) to study the clinical profile of hepatomegaly in pediatric age group. 2)To identify etiological spectrum hepatomegaly in pediatric age group. Material and Methods: A prospective study will be carried out during 01.12.2014 to 31.05.2016 in 100 patients of pediatric age group presenting with hepatomegaly admitted in Navodaya Medical College Hospital Raichur. All the pediatric patients (birth – 18 years) admitted with hepatomegaly, (defined clinically) with span more than normal for age. The patients will be evaluated clearly based on history, clinical examination and requisite laboratory parameters to find out the cause of hepatomegaly. This study will be conducted as a prospective Clinical study, wherein written informed consent will be taken prior to the investigation after detailed information given to the guardians regarding the study. Children with hepatomegaly will be screened through history, detailed examination and correlated through lab investigations. Results: Male predominance was seen in our study.Maximum incidence of hepatomegaly was seen between 1 to 4 year age group (34%). Majority of the cases had mild hepatomegaly (64%). Commonest cause of hepatomegaly was infections. Fever was the most common symptom associated with hepatomegaly. Splenomegaly was the most common sign associated with hepatomegaly. Conclusion: Infection is the most common cause of hepatomegaly in our study. Male preponderance was seen in majority of the cases who had hepatomegaly and belonged to pre school age group.
Keywords: Hepatomegaly; Anemia.