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Perinatal tuberculosis in a three-month-old infant.
Hui-Ju Chen1, Nan-Chang Chiu, Hsin-An Kao
1Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan Yi Zhi
|April 15, 2004
Summary
Perinatal tuberculosis is a rare but serious condition. Early diagnosis in neonates with symptoms like cough and fever is crucial, even with a postmortem confirmation in this case.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Perinatal tuberculosis is a rare condition with significant mortality.
- Diagnosis is often challenging due to non-specific symptoms.
Observation:
- An 83-day-old infant presented with persistent cough, fever, failure to thrive, and hepatosplenomegaly.
- Radiological findings included bilateral infiltrates and abdominal nodules.
- Postmortem examination revealed disseminated necrotizing granulomas.
Findings:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in gastric aspirates and cerebrospinal fluid.
- The infant's mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis.
- Disseminated necrotizing granulomas were found in multiple organs.
Implications:
- Tuberculosis should be considered in neonates with failure to thrive, cough, fever, and hepatosplenomegaly.
- Thorough maternal and family contact history is vital for diagnosis.
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare infections in critically ill infants.