Lymphadenopathy in Nigerian children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pathology
• Tropical Medicine
• Oncology

Background:

• Lymphadenopathy is a common presentation in pediatric patients, requiring accurate histopathologic diagnosis.
• Understanding the etiological spectrum of pediatric lymphadenopathy is crucial for effective management, especially in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the histopathologic causes of excised enlarged lymph nodes in Nigerian children.
• To determine the common sites, age distribution, and etiological factors of pediatric lymphadenopathy in the Ife-Ijesa zone.

Main Methods:

• Histopathologic examination of 121 excised enlarged lymph nodes from Nigerian children (2 months to 15 years).
• Data collected over a ten-year period (1982-1991) included patient demographics, lymph node site, and diagnosis.
• Analysis focused on differentiating chronic specific inflammation, non-specific lymphadenitis, and malignant tumors.

Main Results:

• Chronic specific inflammation (44%), predominantly tuberculosis, was the leading cause of lymphadenopathy, followed by non-specific lymphadenitis (31%) and malignant tumors (24%).
• The cervical region was the most frequent site (48%) for lymphadenopathy, particularly for chronic specific inflammation and lymphomas (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's).
• Tuberculosis was more common in girls, while lymphomas were more prevalent in males, with a peak incidence for Hodgkin's disease between 12-15 years.

Conclusions:

• Tuberculosis is a major cause of pediatric lymphadenopathy in this Nigerian population, necessitating targeted public health interventions.
• Lymphadenopathy in children warrants thorough histopathologic evaluation to distinguish between infectious and neoplastic etiologies.
• The findings highlight regional variations in the epidemiology of pediatric lymphadenopathy, emphasizing the importance of local data for healthcare planning.