Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

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

Clinical Features and Predictors of Hospital Stay in Paediatric Epstein-Barr Virus Infectious Mononucleosis: A

Lasse H Nyhegn1,2, Sara Yde Steffensen3, Sabine Frølich Maarbjerg3

  • 1Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis (IM) severity in children is linked to inflammation and liver issues, not just age. Identifying these factors aids in better risk assessment and patient care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

  • Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, commonly known as infectious mononucleosis (IM), presents with varied clinical manifestations in children and adolescents.
  • Understanding age-specific differences and predictors of hospitalization is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate age-specific clinical features of primary EBV infectious mononucleosis in pediatric populations.
  • To identify key predictors associated with prolonged hospital stay in children and adolescents diagnosed with EBV IM.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted.
  • Data from 1657 children and adolescents (0-17 years) with verified primary EBV infection between March 2020 and March 2025 were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 18.5% of patients required hospitalization, with incidence increasing with age.
  • Common symptoms included tonsillitis, fever, and lymphadenopathy. Hepatic dysfunction was more prevalent in adolescents, while younger children experienced more anemia and hyperbilirubinemia.
  • Prolonged hospital stay was independently linked to hyperbilirubinemia, elevated C-reactive protein, organomegaly, and secondary bacterial infections.

Conclusions:

  • Disease severity in pediatric EBV infection is associated with inflammatory and hepatic complications, rather than solely age.
  • Early identification of these clinical features can facilitate risk stratification and optimize inpatient care strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
Epstein–Barr viruschildrencomplicationshospitalisationinfectious mononucleosislength of stay

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