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Published on: August 11, 2008
A review of tuberculosis-related referrals among children in Ireland
P Y Iroh Tam1, A Menon, K Butler
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland. irohtam@gmail.com
Insights
Tuberculosis (TB) in children is a significant concern, with most cases occurring in native-born children. This study reviewed TB referrals to a pediatric clinic, finding TB exposure as the primary referral reason.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Immigration significantly impacts tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology in developed nations.
- Understanding TB trends in pediatric populations is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze referral patterns for pediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases.
- To identify key characteristics and outcomes of children referred to a specialized infectious diseases clinic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients referred for TB-related concerns.
- Data collected from the Rainbow Clinic at OLCHC between 2003 and 2005.
Main Results:
- Forty-seven children were assessed, with most referrals originating from public health clinics and pediatricians.
- The most common referral reason was a history of TB exposure (60%).
- Of the children with active TB disease, the majority were Caucasian Irish.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) remains a notable public health issue, particularly among the native-born population.
- Effective follow-up and treatment completion are essential for managing pediatric TB cases.
Background:
Immigration has been shown to have an increasingly important effect on the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in developed countries.
Aim:
To review patterns of TB-related referrals to a paediatric infectious diseases clinic.
Methods:
Retrospective chart review of TB-related referrals of children attending the Rainbow Clinic at OLCHC between 2003-2005.
Results:
Forty-seven children were assessed: 18 referred from public health clinics, 5 from general practitioners, and 24 from paediatricians. Most common reason for referral was history of TB exposure (60%). Eighteen (38%) were female, 29 (62%) were male. Thirteen (28%) had latent TB, and 17 (36%) had active disease. Of children with TB disease, 25 (83%) were Caucasian Irish, and the remainder was African. Twenty-five children completed TB treatment and were discharged, and 2 (7%) were lost to follow-up.
Conclusion:
Our study highlights the problem of TB in children, the majority of whom are native to this country.
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