Question
My child had an ultrasound at ten months old and it was found that the spleen was slightly enlarged. Subsequent blood tests and blood smears were normal. How should an enlarged spleen in children be treated?
Answer
There are many factors that can cause an enlarged spleen in children, such as schistosomiasis, chronic hepatitis, and kala-azar. Splenic enlargement may lead to hypersplenism, causing a decrease in blood cells and platelets. First, consider whether the spleen enlargement is sudden or gradual, and observe if the child has symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea, etc. In daily life, it’s important to communicate more with the child to reduce their negative emotions.