Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis: Common Diseases and their Mimics, 2nd Edition - Chapter 17: Hepatomegaly

Hepatomegaly is an abnormal enlargement of the liver and can occur as a feature of primary liver disease or as a result of systemic disorders such as congenital anomalies, inborn errors of metabolism, infections, medications, tumors, or autoimmune diseases. Common symptoms of hepatic dysfunction, such as fatigue, fever of unknown origin, pruritus, failure to thrive, confusion, change in mental status, and/or diarrhea, are nonspecific. Initial work-up includes a thorough history and physical exam with targeted laboratory and imaging studies as appropriate. Hepatomegaly and jaundice are frequently the findings that lead to an evaluation for liver disease.