Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Anyone can develop an enlarged spleen at any age, but certain groups are at higher risk, including:

  • Children and young adults with infections such as mononucleosis
  • People of African descent, who may develop splenomegaly as a complication of sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder
  • People of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, who are at higher risk of Gaucher's disease, Niemann-Pick disease and several other inherited metabolic disorders affecting the liver and spleen
  • Travelers to areas where malaria is endemic
Complications Causes
References
  1. Pozo AL, et al. Splenomegaly: Investigation, diagnosis and management. Blood Reviews. 2009;23:105.
  2. Enlarged spleen. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch179/ch179b.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  3. Patient information for laparoscopic spleen removal (splenectomy) from SAGES. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?doc=PI12. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  4. Henry PH, et al. Enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2875326. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  5. Brender E, et al. The spleen. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2005;294:2660.
  6. Armitage JO. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/218749248-3/0/1492/651.html?tocnode=54619609&fromURL=651.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50179-8_7809. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  7. Splenomegaly. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec11/ch138/ch138b.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Recommended adult immunization schedule - United States, 2010. MMWR. 2010;59:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5901a5.htm. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
DS00871 Nov. 11, 2010

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