Analysis of the Thymus in 151 Healthy Infants From 0 to 2 Years of Age

Analysis of the Thymus in 151 Healthy Infants From 0 to 2 Years of Age

Objective. A prospective sonographic study of the normal thymus was performed to determine the size changes with age and to compare the results according to some clinical conditions, such as sex, breast versus formula feeding, and term or preterm status. Methods. One hundred fifty‐one healthy infant...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of ultrasound in medicine Vol. 23; no. 10; pp. 1321 - 1326
Main Authors: Yekeler, Ensar, Tambag, Ahmet, Tunaci, Atadan, Genchellac, Hakan, Dursun, Memduh, Gokcay, Gulbin, Acunas, Gulden
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Am inst Ulrrasound Med 01-10-2004
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Subjects:
age and sex
Breast Feeding
breast versus formula feeding
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Male
prematurity
Prospective Studies
Reference Values
size changes
thymus
Thymus Gland - diagnostic imaging
Ultrasonography
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Summary:Objective. A prospective sonographic study of the normal thymus was performed to determine the size changes with age and to compare the results according to some clinical conditions, such as sex, breast versus formula feeding, and term or preterm status. Methods. One hundred fifty‐one healthy infants underwent thymic sonography. Maximal transverse and longitudinal dimensions and anteroposterior dimensions of the right and left lobes were measured, and thymic indices were calculated. Mean values of thymic measurements for each group (sex, age, breast or formula feeding, and term or preterm status) were determined. The results were statistically evaluated. Results. Thymic dimensions showed the maximal values at about 4 to 6 months and gradually decreased after 6 to 8 months. No significant differences were found between mean values of thymic dimensions according to the sex and formula‐ versus breast‐fed groups. As expected, the term group had greater thymic size values than the preterm group, probably because of positive correlations between thymus size, birth weight, and height. Conclusions. The thymus is clearly and easily visualized on sonography in the 0‐ to 2‐year age period. This may be useful for evaluating qualitative and quantitative properties of the thymus and determining size changes according to age in various clinical conditions.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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content type line 23
ISSN:0278-4297
1550-9613
DOI:10.7863/jum.2004.23.10.1321