Adenitis is the inflammation and possible enlargement of a lymph node. Lymph gland enlargement is common for children, and most cases represent transient response to benign, local, or generalized infections, usually of viral etiology. It may also be acute, subacute, or chronic in onset and course.
Most children have small palpable cervical, axillary, and inguinal nodes.
Palpable postauricular, supraclavicular, epitrochlear, popliteal, and radiologically detectable mediastinal or abdominal nodes are uncommon. In some cases, the cause of the adenopathy may be obvious, as in the case of lymph nodes draining an obvious source of infection. In other cases, congenital and neoplastic causes must be considered. Apart from enlarged nodes, lymphadenopathy may be accompanied by local pain and tenderness. If suppuration occurs, the overlying skin becomes reddened.