Splenic infarction in a child with primary Epstein-Barr virus infection

Pediatr Int. 2013 Oct;55(5):e126-8. doi: 10.1111/ped.12143.

Abstract

Described herein is the case of a previously healthy 7-year-old girl who had splenic infarction. This lesion was identified 1 day after the first presentation of peri-umbilical and right upper quadrant pain. She had abnormal hepatic function and mild splenomegaly, and was diagnosed as having primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Coagulation profiles indicated low plasma activity of protein C (49%) and protein S (47%), which normalized 3 weeks later. Hypercoagulability in transient protein C and protein S deficiency might contribute to the development of splenic infarction in infectious mononucleosis.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus infection; protein C and protein S; splenic infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blood Coagulation
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / complications*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / virology
  • Splenic Infarction / blood
  • Splenic Infarction / diagnosis
  • Splenic Infarction / etiology*
  • Thrombophilia / blood
  • Thrombophilia / complications*
  • Thrombophilia / diagnosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed