Liver 3cms palpable

Specialties NICU

Published

Jacobs mum here again :)

Jacob is 8 months old now and was dicharged from the hospital aged 6 months after his PICU adventure. We had a letter this week from the Paed at the hospital saying that Jacob has some plagiocephaly (which we knew about) and also that it was noted that his liver is 3cms palpable.

Is this normal in babies who were premature or can it come as a result from being very poorly?

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Jacobs mum here again :)

Jacob is 8 months old now and was dicharged from the hospital aged 6 months after his PICU adventure. We had a letter this week from the Paed at the hospital saying that Jacob has some plagiocephaly (which we knew about) and also that it was noted that his liver is 3cms palpable.

Is this normal in babies who were premature or can it come as a result from being very poorly?

I don't really know much about this, but wonder if long-term TPN might be a factor.

Glad to hear he's home where he will thrive!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

It most definitely could be related to long term TPN. Another possible source of hepatomegaly is heart failure. 3 cm below the costal margin in a small child is significant. I'd worry. Maybe you should ask your pediatrician about it.

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