[Delay in childhood tuberculosis detection as a negative factor in the anti-tuberculosis struggle]

Childhood morbidity due to tuberculosis infection in Spain is not diminishing at the expected rate in relation with available knowledge and facilities. An important factor is the delay in diagnosis, which evaluation constitutes the objective of this publication. Said delay is due to several causes, patient does not consult on time (mean value between onset of symptoms and consult is 34.3 days), or physician does not think in tuberculosis as first diagnosis, which meant an added mean delay of 7.6 days more. These delays mean an important detriment for the patient, and one of the objectives in the anti-tuberculosis struggle is to shorten delays through information to the lay public and health professionals on the highly important current issue of tuberculosis.