Question
A friend’s child was born with an enlarged spleen, and after consultation with a doctor, it was determined to be a case of pediatric splenomegaly. What is this condition, and is it a severe disease?
Answer
Enlarged spleen in children is not severe. An enlarged spleen is a common symptom in infants and young children. It is often associated with systemic diseases such as infections, blood disorders, metabolic diseases, and tumors. Diseases limited to the spleen itself are rare. In acute infections, splenic congestion can be seen within a few days and can be palpated under the left ribcage. Splenomegaly caused by chronic infections is mainly due to proliferative infiltration. In most premature infants, the spleen can be palpated immediately after birth.