Abdominal tuberculosis in a children's hospital in Addis Ababa

A review of the clinical records of all patients with the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis, admitted to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (ESCH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over a ten year period was made. There were 57 patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, accounting for 0.22% of all admissions. Both sexes were nearly equally affected. In more than a quarter of the patients (30%), the diagnosis of tuberculosis was not considered at admission. Fever, weight loss, night sweating and abdominal pain were common presenting symptoms. The role of positive Mantoux and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as an aid to diagnosis were limited. The number of admitted patients with abdominal tuberculosis at ESCH is much lower than what has been reported from other African countries. The findings of the present study clearly indicate the need for a high index of clinical suspicion. Laparoscopic and peritoneal biopsy should be included in the diagnostic work up of patients suspected of having abdominal tuberculosis.