Asplenia

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 29 Aug 2022

Asplenia refers to absence of the spleen thereby leading to deficient splenic function.

Seen in 3% of neonates with structural heart disease and in 30% of patients who die from cardiac malposition. The male-to-female ratio is 2:1.

Asplenia can be classified into two  types:

  • anatomical asplenia: absence of splenic tissue (can be congenital, acquired or iatrogenic)
  • functional asplenia: splenic tissue present, however it is non-functioning

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