Linear morphometric parameters of the spleen of children and adolescents according to the data of intravital imaging

Objective: The analysis of the age and gender patterns of the linear parameters of the spleen of children and adolescents on the basis of intravital imaging.

Methods: Sizes of spleens on the level of the middle of bodies' vertebras Th_XI-L_III were defined on computer tomograms of abdomens of 75 children and adolescents divided into 4 groups (early childhood, first childhood, second childhood, and adolescence).

Results: There was a growth of the long axis of the spleen on the level of Th_XII among boys from 2^nd and 4th age groups, among girls - only in the 4^th group. The reliable difference of this parameter on the level of L_I was observed only among boys from the 2^nd group. The long axis of the boys turned out to be bigger than girls' on the level of Th_XII in 1^st and 2^nd groups. With age a significant growth of the diameter of the organ was defined among girls from the 4^th group on levels of Th_XII and L_I. The reliable increase of this parameter was noticed among boys from the 2^nd group on the level of Th^XII and from the 4^th group on levels of Th_XII and L_I. The differences in the average indexes of the diameter of the organ between girls and boys were defined in the 2^nd group on the level of Th_XII. Significant increase of the diameter of spleen was defined among boys from 2^nd and 4th groups in comparison with previous age periods.

Conclusions: Among boys the size of the spleen significantly increased statistically in groups of 1^st childhood and among adolescents. Among girls the reliable increase of the long axis and diameter of spleen was registered among adolescents. There was no reliable increase in height in any group (in comparison with previous ages). The long axis of spleen was significantly bigger among boys, than among girls in early and 1^st childhood age, spleen diameter - in 1^st childhood age. The reliable differences in the indexes of the height of spleen between girls and boys within age groups weren't identified.

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