Enlarged livers and spleens in an area endemic for malaria and schistosomiasis

The prevalence of hepatic and splenic enlargement, S. mansoni and S. haematobium infection, malaria and malnutrition have been surveyed in an area endemic for malaria and schistosomiasis. Malaria was commonest at age 0–4, and both liver and splenic enlargement were significantly associated with it. At 5–9 years hepatomegaly was found to be significantly associated with S. mansoni infection and with combined malaria and S. mansoni infection. Hepatosplenomegaly was also associated with the combined infection. Splenomegaly was associated with malaria but not with S. mansoni. Neither hepatomegaly or splenomegaly was associated with S. haematobium infection. Malnutrition as determined by weight for age was not associated with liver enlargement. In the 10–14 and the 15+ age groups the only significant association found was that between liver and splenic enlargement.