Size of liver edge in full-term, healthy infants

S. Ashkenazi, F. Mimouni, P. Merlob, I. Litmanovitz and S. H. Reisner

The distance between the right costal margin and the liver edge at the mid-clavicular line was measured within the first 24 hours of life and before discharge (between 72 and 96 hours of life) in 367 healthy, full-term infants. No significant difference was found between the measurements during the first day of life and at discharge, or in the different groups of gestational age (range, 37 to 41 weeks). The mean +/- SD distance of the liver edge below the costal margin was 3.0 +/- 0.7 cm, with a normal range from 1.6 to 4.4 cm. According to our results, we recommend investigation for hepatomegaly when the liver is palpated more than 4.4 cm below the costal margin.