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Published on: April 9, 2012

Perinatal tuberculosis: a diagnostic challenge

Edna Lúcia S de Souza1, Lícia Maria O Moreira, Márcio Fernando Silva

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. ednalu@ufba.br

The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases
|June 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal tuberculosis, a rare form of the disease, can present as pneumonia in newborns. Early diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion for this uncommon condition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health concern, predominantly affecting adults and children.
  • Congenital and perinatal tuberculosis are exceptionally rare manifestations of the disease.
  • Brazil has documented very few cases of congenital and perinatal TB.

Observation:

  • This report details a case of perinatal tuberculosis in an infant.
  • The infant presented with symptoms suggestive of pneumonia.
  • Alcohol-acid-resistant bacilli were identified in the infant's gastric lavage sample.

Findings:

  • The case highlights a rare presentation of perinatal tuberculosis.
  • Pneumonia was the primary clinical manifestation in this infant.
  • Microbiological evidence confirmed the presence of tuberculosis.

Implications:

  • Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for perinatal tuberculosis, even in low-incidence settings.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for infants suspected of having perinatal TB.
  • This case contributes to the limited literature on perinatal tuberculosis in Brazil.

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