ULTRASONOGRAPHY ORGANOMETERY: KIDNEY, LIVER, SPLEEN DIMENSION AND CORRELATION WITH BMI AMONG SCHOOL AGE HEALTHY CHILDREN IN SOUTHWEST, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background : Childhood is an important period of growth for many organ systems. Among various growth parameters, the size of the kidney, liver and spleen useful for the clinical evaluation of abnormalities of these organs. Ultrasonographic dimensions of these organs vary with age, weight and race. However, reference standards of these parameters for healthy children for Ethiopian children are not available.

Objective: : To evaluate the dimensions of the kidney, liver and spleen in healthy children and its correlates with body mass index.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 school age healthy children at Radiology Department of Jimma University Medical Center. Ultrasonographic assessment was done using a high resolution real-time scanner with a 4 MHz convex transducer by a senior radiologist. Children with abnormal ultrasonographic findings were excluded from the study and referred for further evaluation.

Results: A total of 300 children, 161 (53.7%) males and 139 (46.3%) females were included into the study. Body weight significantly correlated with the dimensions of the liver (r=0.584, p< 0.001), spleen (r=0.637, p< 0.001), right kidney (r=0.631, p<0.001) and left kidney (r=0.501, p< 0.001). On multiple regression analysis, body weight was significantly associated with all the organs (p <0.01).

Conclusion: The organ dimensions showed the highest correlation with body weight, height and age. Finding from our study assist clinician in interpretation of sonographic examinations in daily clinical practices