Childhood infectious mononucleosis

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus that is ubiquitous in nature, and most of the world population is infected by it. Infectious Mononucleosis (IM) is the most common clinical syndrome caused by EBV. This study was conducted to valuate epidemiological and clinical features of Infectious Mononucleosis caused by EBV in children. In it were enrolled 107 children 0-14 years old hospitalized with the diagnosis of Infectious Mononucleosis. Children ranged from 8-months old to 12.5years old, median age was 4.74 years. Fever was the most prominent feature in 97% of cases followed by lymphadenitis and pharyngitis in 79% and 78% of cases. Hepatitis was found in 55% of children. Classic syndrome of Infectious Mononucleosis was more prevalent in older children. Conclusively the probability of developing Infectious Mononucleosis after primary EBV infection correlates with age, young children are often moderately ill, presenting with atypical or partial Infective Mononucleosis syndrome.