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Feeding intolerance due to connatal tuberculosis in a prematurely born infant

Muraldihar Premkumar1, Vikram Anumakonda, Liam Cormican

  • 1Department of Child Health, King's College Hospital, London, UK.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|September 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Congenital tuberculosis (TB) should be suspected in premature infants with feeding intolerance and mothers from high-risk groups. Rapid diagnosis was achieved using molecular analysis of acid-fast bacilli from gastric aspirates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Premature infants may experience feeding intolerance, requiring thorough investigation.
  • Maternal health complications, such as respiratory arrest, can indicate serious underlying conditions.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health concern with varied presentations.

Observation:

  • A premature infant presented with recurrent feeding intolerance.
  • The infant's mother experienced a respiratory arrest and was diagnosed with miliary tuberculosis.
  • Gastric aspirates from the infant revealed acid-fast bacilli.

Findings:

  • Variable nucleotide tandem repeat analysis rapidly confirmed congenital tuberculosis (TB).
  • This molecular technique facilitated timely diagnosis in a complex clinical scenario.
  • The infant's symptoms were attributed to connatal TB.

Implications:

  • Congenital TB must be considered in premature infants with persistent feeding issues, especially when the mother has risk factors.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis of congenital TB is crucial for effective management and improved infant outcomes.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering maternal health in neonatal diagnostics.

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