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Published on: September 5, 2017
Perinatal tuberculosis in a 73-day-old infant
Hsin-Chung Huang1, Li-Min Huang, Chun-Yi Lu
1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 8, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
Tuberculosis in infants can mimic pneumonia, leading to delayed diagnosis and poor outcomes. Early consideration of infant tuberculosis is crucial for timely and effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Pneumonia is a common cause of respiratory illness in neonates and infants.
- Empirical antibiotic treatment is the standard approach for suspected bacterial pneumonia.
- Delayed diagnosis of serious infections in infants can lead to severe complications.
Observation:
- A 73-day-old female infant presented with persistent cough and fever.
- Chest roentgenogram revealed a pneumonic patch.
- Initial antibiotic therapy was ineffective.
Findings:
- Excisional biopsy confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis as the cause of the infant's pneumonia.
- The infant's presentation mimicked typical bacterial pneumonia.
Implications:
- Pulmonary tuberculosis should be included in the differential diagnosis for neonates and infants with unresponsive pneumonia.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment of infant tuberculosis are critical to prevent fatal outcomes.
- This case highlights the importance of considering uncommon pathogens in pediatric respiratory infections.
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