Clinical features of Epstein-Barr virus-associated infectious mononucleosis in hospitalized Korean children

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Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

Keun Hyung Son1, Mee Yong Shin

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.

Korean Journal of Pediatrics
|January 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) in Korean children is often linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Older children experienced longer fevers, more headaches, and higher rates of liver enzyme elevation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Infectious mononucleosis (IM), primarily caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is a common childhood illness.
  • Limited recent data exists on the clinical status and trends of EBV-associated IM in Korean pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the recent clinical manifestations of EBV-associated IM in Korean children.
  • To analyze age-related differences in clinical and laboratory findings of EBV-associated IM.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 81 hospitalized children diagnosed with EBV-associated IM based on serological criteria (VCA IgM positive).
  • Patients were stratified into three age groups: under 5 years, 5-9 years, and 10 years or older.
  • Clinical symptoms, signs, and laboratory results, including liver enzyme levels, were evaluated across age groups.

Main Results:

  • The majority of patients (83.9%) were under 10 years of age.
  • While most symptoms did not differ significantly by age, headache incidence increased with age.
  • Duration of fever averaged 7.7 days, and liver enzyme elevation rates rose significantly with advancing age (26.6% to 76.9%).

Conclusions:

  • EBV-associated IM in Korean children predominantly affects those under 10 years old.
  • Clinical presentation, including headache, fever duration, and liver enzyme elevation, shows a positive correlation with increasing age.
  • These findings highlight age-specific clinical patterns in pediatric EBV-associated IM in Korea.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenEpstein-Barr virusInfectious mononucleosisKorea

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