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The spectrum of acute Epstein-Barr virus infection in Saudi children

M Shuja1, A Abanamy, M Khaleel

  • 1Suleimania Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Annals of Saudi Medicine
|September 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Most childhood Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections are asymptomatic. Symptomatic cases often present with respiratory issues, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and enlarged liver/spleen, requiring medical attention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) primary infections are often asymptomatic in children.
  • Symptomatic presentations of EBV infection can be diverse and require accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical presentation of acute primary Epstein-Barr virus infection in pediatric patients.
  • To identify common symptoms and laboratory findings associated with symptomatic EBV infection in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 33 pediatric patients diagnosed with acute primary EBV infection.
  • Analysis of clinical symptoms, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, atypical lymphocytes, and liver enzyme levels.

Main Results:

  • Common symptoms included upper respiratory tract infection, fever, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly.
  • Neurological manifestations and arthralgia were observed in a minority of patients.
  • Elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT) were present in approximately 54.55% of cases, while atypical lymphocytes (>10%) were found in only four patients.

Conclusions:

  • Acute primary Epstein-Barr virus infection in children can manifest with varied symptoms, often mimicking other common childhood illnesses.
  • Clinical suspicion for EBV should be considered in pediatric patients presenting with fever, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly, even with normal lymphocyte counts.

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