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Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis with the Xpert MTB/RIF Test
Published on: April 9, 2012
[Tuberculosis in Norwegian children--diagnostic challenges]
C Olbjørn1, M Bjørnvold, K O Wathne
1Barneavdelingen Buskerud sentralsykehus, Drammen.
Insights
Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for pediatric tuberculosis (TB). Early intervention in children prevents severe illness and complications, emphasizing microbiological confirmation before starting therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) affects 20-25 Norwegian children annually.
- Pediatric TB diagnosis presents significant challenges.
Observation:
- Eight pediatric cases (15 months to 10 years) illustrate diagnostic difficulties.
- Children contract TB from adults, risking severe forms like miliary TB and meningitis.
Findings:
- TB symptoms in children are often non-specific, mimicking other conditions.
- Delayed or incorrect diagnosis can lead to severe consequences.
Implications:
- Initiate TB treatment promptly based on clinical suspicion.
- Collect biological samples for microbiological testing before commencing treatment.
Background:
Each year, 20-25 Norwegian children below the age of 18 are diagnosed with tuberculosis in Norway.
Material And Methods:
As a demonstration of various difficulties in the work-up and diagnosis of tuberculosis, we present eight infected children aged 15 months to 10 years.
Results:
Children often contract the infection from adults and may develop serious manifestations including miliary tuberculosis and meningitis. The symptoms are often not specific and tuberculosis may be mistaken for other diseases. Delay and inappropriate diagnostics may have deleterious consequences.
Interpretation:
The main message is to start treatment upon clinical suspicion of tuberculosis. It is mandatory to sample the necessary biological material for microbiological tests before starting treatment.
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