Abstract

In the United States, Amebic Liver Abscess (ALA) is uncommon but can cause death in the first year of life. The characteristics of 18 previously described cases of infants with ALA from the United States are reported, as are the clinical course of ALA in a 10-month-old infant. A group of adults with ALA is compared to this infant population, which includes our patient. Infants experience nonspecific initial symptoms such as fever, hepatomegaly, anemia, and elevated transaminases, in contrast to adults. Infants can get coli, but tests for ova or parasites almost always come back negative. One third of infants with ALA who present with the condition have negative amebic serology. The clinical course of ALA in infants is typically fulminant, and nearly half of them die.