RESUMEN
To study the role of diagnostic splenic aspiration in Arabian childhood visceral leishmaniasis, in a situation where many children with possible visceral leishmaniasis remained undiagnosed by bone marrow aspiration alone. Prospective study of the safety and reliability of diagnostic splenic aspiration. Asir Central hospital, the regional referral hospital for Asir Province, an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis. Hospitalized bone-marrow negative children with suspected visceral leishmaniasis in whom parental consent was available and a coagulopathy had been excluded or corrected. Percutaneous splenic aspiration using a small-calibre [22-gauge] needle, rapid-aspiration technique, and examination of Giemsa-stained smears for amastigote leishman Donovan bodies. Close monitoring of patients post-aspiration for complications. Parasites were detected in 12 of 12 [100%] children with visceral leishmaniasis and absent in two children with other illnesses. There were no failed taps or complications. Splenic aspiration is a safe and reliable alternative diagnostic method in bone marrow negative children with suspected visceral leishmaniasis in the appropriate hospital setting. Further experience is required to confirm our findings