What age group does acute lymphadenitis commonly affect in children?

Acute lymphadenitis is characterized by the inflammation of lymph nodes, typically due to an infection, and it is most commonly seen in children under the age of 5 years. This age group is particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune systems, which are still acquiring the ability to effectively combat infections.

In younger children, such as those under 5, infections that lead to lymphadenitis are often associated with common childhood illnesses—such as viral infections, streptococcal or staphylococcal lymphadenitis. This age group is also more likely to present with symptoms like fever, painful lymphadenopathy, and associated systemic symptoms, making the diagnosis more apparent.

Newborns may experience lymphadenopathy as part of congenital infections or other rare conditions but do not typically present with acute lymphadenitis as commonly as younger children. Infants under 1 year also have a significant risk, but the peak incidence of acute lymphadenitis is generally observed in children from 1 to 5 years old. Adolescents can develop lymphadenitis, but it tends to be associated with different etiologies, such as infectious mononucleosis, rather than the common childhood infectious causes that primarily affect younger children.

Thus, the age