[Tuberculosis in 0-14 year-olds in Cuba (1994-2003)]

Tuberculosis in infants and children is a sign of continuous transmission. The present article describes the distribution and the trend in incidence rates of new tuberculosis cases in 0-15-year-olds in Cuba.

Incidence rates and their trend were estimated by provinces and age groups for the 1994-2003 period. Distribution and overall variation percentages, annual average rates, and rates and percentages according to classification were determined.

The incidence rate decreased from 0.76 x 10(5) in 1994 to 0.31 in 2003 (59.2% of the overall reduction and 6.6% of the annual average reduction). The highest rate (1.06 x 10(5)) was found in 1995 (26 cases). In almost all provinces, the incidence trend decreased, except in the City of Havana, Sancti Spíritus, Santiago de Cuba, and the Isle of Youth. Childhood tuberculosis was mainly pulmonary (69.6%). Among the affected population, the highest percentages were found in the groups aged 10-14 years (35.6%) and 1-4 years (35.2%).

Tuberculosis is infrequent and is extremely uncommon in infants. Notification is low throughout the country and the overall trend shows a steady decrease.