Palpable lymph nodes in healthy newborns and infants

We examined 548 healthy neonates and infants to document the frequency, size, and location of palpable lymph nodes. The subjects consisted of 214 neonates from birth to 4 weeks of age and 334 infants from 4 weeks to 1 year of age. All of the infants were asymptomatic and had been free of major or minor systemic or cutaneous infections in the past. Of the 214 neonates, 73 (34%) had palpable nodes at one or more sites. Of the 334 infants, 190 (57%) had palpable lymph nodes. Inguinal, cervical, and axillary lymph nodes can be palpable in neonates and infants. Supraclavicular nodes are not generally palpable. The commonest site of palpable nodes is the inguinal area in neonates and the cervical area in older infants. It would appear that the palpable nodes noted in the neonatal period do not disappear but persist. This knowledge is useful in determining when adenopathy may be abnormal.