Adenophlegmon - Lymphadenitis (Pediatrics - PEDS)

Medium urgency
-Moderately severe

Is the inflammation and enlargement of a lymph node. A node is considered enlarged when it is more than 2 cm in diameter (0.5 cm in newborns).

It is usually caused by an infection in the throat, ears, or skin caused by a virus or bacteria.

It manifests with an increase in size and signs of inflammation of the node (warmth, redness, and/or pain in the area). Occasionally, it may be associated with fever.

The diagnosis is made clinically, through questioning and physical examination. The cause can be further investigated with blood tests and ultrasound-guided biopsy of the node.

If it is of bacterial origin, antibiotic treatment is prescribed. Anti-inflammatory medication is recommended to reduce local discomfort.

Bibliographic references
  1. Rosenberg TL, Nolder AR. Pediatric cervical lymphadenopaty. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2014 Oct;47(5):721-31. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2014.06.012. Review.
  2. Dulin MF, Kennard TP, Leach L, Williams R. Management of cervical lymphadenitis in children. Am Fam Physician. 2008 Nov 1;78(9):1097-8. Review.
  3. Friedmann AM. Evaluation and management of lymphadenopathy in children. Pediatr Rev. 2008 Feb;29(2):53-60. doi: 10.1542/pir.29-2-53. Review.
  4. Melenotte C, Edouard S, Lepidi H, Raoult D. Diagnosis of infectious lymphadenitis. Rev Med Interne. 2015 Oct;36(10):668-76. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2015.04.004. Review.
  5. Leung AK, Robson WL. Childhood cervical lymphadenopathy. J Pediatr Health Care. 2004 Jan-Feb;18(1):3-7. Review.
Author
Dr. Maria Trabazo
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Lymph node larger than 2 cm / 0.75 in


    Warm and/or red lymph node


    Fast-growing node


    Lymph nodes are painful to the touch


    Fever / Feel very hot

Pre-hospital care recommendations

Take over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.
Relative rest, rest until symptoms subside.