Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is widespread all over the world. It causes infectious mononucleosis (IM) mostly in adolescents and adults. Although IM is considered to be rare in younger children and infants, acute EBV infection may have various manifestations in this age group. We aimed to describe the clinical features and laboratory findings of children hospitalized with acute EBV infection. All children hospitalized at Dr. Behçet Uz Children`s Hospital, between January 2010 and January 2017, who tested positive by presence of EBV-specific antibodies and had the diagnosis of acute EBV infection, were included (n=66). Thirty four of the patients (51.5%) were under 6 years of age, and 23 (34.8%) children were below 3 years of age. The most common physical finding was fever (92.4%) followed by cervical lymphadenopathy and tonsillopharyngitis. Leukocytosis (65.1%) and lymphocytosis (42.4%) were the most common laboratory findings. Reactive and atypical lymphocytes were present in 77.2% of the patients. Fifty-three (80.3%) of the patients had a doctor visit before hospitalization, and the ratio of patients using antibiotics was 77.3%. Skin rash was observed in 14 (27.4%) of the patients who used antibiotic treatment and in 2 (13.3%) of the patients who did not (p > 0.05). EBV infection resulting in admission to hospital is common in younger children, even in pre-school period. Serological tests for EBV specific antibody responses and peripheral blood smear evaluation are important diagnostic tools. In addition, rapid streptococcal antigen test and throat culture should be performed in patients presenting with tonsillopharyngitis in order to exclude Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci and reduce unnecessary antibiotic consumption.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), children, infectious mononucleosis, tonsillopharyngitis