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Causes of lymphadenopathy in Egyptian children other than malignancy

U R el-Safy1, A A el-Ekiaby, A M Mangoud

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.

Insights

In Egyptian children, enlarged lymph nodes are often linked to intestinal parasites and eosinophilia, not malignancy. This study highlights common parasitic infections as a key cause of pediatric lymphadenopathy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Cervical and inguinal lymphadenopathy are common in children.
  • Identifying the underlying causes is crucial for appropriate management.
  • Malignancy is a concern, but other factors frequently contribute to lymphadenopathy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causes of lymphadenopathy in Egyptian children.
  • To correlate clinical findings with laboratory, histopathological, and immunopathological results.
  • To explore non-malignant etiologies for enlarged lymph nodes in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty children (3-12 years) with enlarged lymph nodes were studied.
  • Routine laboratory tests, histopathology, and immunopathology were performed.
  • Analysis included assessment for parasitic infections, skin conditions, and cellular immune responses.

Main Results:

  • Eighty percent of children had eosinophilia and intestinal parasites.
  • Pediculosis and flea dermatitis were observed in 30% and 12% of cases, respectively.
  • Histopathology showed sinus hyperplasia, reactive paracortical hyperplasia, necrosis, and eosinophilic infiltration in nodal tissues.

Conclusions:

  • Intestinal parasites and associated eosinophilia are significant contributors to pediatric lymphadenopathy in this population.
  • Histopathological findings support reactive changes in lymph nodes due to infections.
  • These results suggest that parasitic infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric lymphadenopathy in Egypt, reducing unnecessary concern for malignancy.

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