Publication:

Clinical profile and causes of mesenteric lymphadenitis in children

Background The aim was to study the clinical profile and causes of mesenteric lymphadenitis in children. The cases were selected from out patients and in patients admitted in various units of pediatric ward in velammal medical college hospital, Madurai over a period of 20 months from Nov 2013-June 2015.

Methods This is a prospective observational study. A total 129 children who were clinically suspected to have mesenteric lymphadenitis during the study period under went abdominal ultrasonography. Out of which only 57 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were studied. The clinical profile and causes of these cases were correlated and evaluated.

Results It was found that 10.5% of cases presented as acute abdomen. Pain abdomen was the common complaint in 59.6% of cases, cough /cold in 36.8%, loose stools in 28%, while in the rest of the cases fever , nausea, vomiting were seen. The commonest cause of mesenteric lymphadenitis was found to be respiratory tract infection in 36.8% of patients followed by diarrhea 28%, urinary tract infection 12.2%, worm infestations 10.5%, enteric fever 7%, gastritis 5.2%.

Conclusions The importance of mesenteric lymphadenitis lies in its differential diagnosis in cases of acute abdomen. Since correct diagnosis can avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.