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Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
Latent tuberculosis in a newborn: diagnostic challenges.
Iris De Schutter1, Kinda Schepers, Mahavir Singh
1Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology, Cystic Fibrosis Clinic and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. iris.deschutter@uzbrussel.be
European Journal of Pediatrics
|April 23, 2010
Summary
Perinatal tuberculosis is rare but may increase with HIV and immigration. Early diagnosis in newborns is crucial for preventing disease through chemoprophylaxis.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Perinatal tuberculosis (TB) is infrequently diagnosed in low-incidence countries.
- Rising rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and immigration from high-TB incidence regions may increase perinatal TB cases.
- Prompt identification of newborns at risk is vital for chemoprophylaxis and disease prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the challenges in diagnosing latent perinatal tuberculosis infection in newborns.
- To discuss risk factors for vertical TB transmission and the importance of chemoprophylaxis.
- To emphasize the need for a high index of suspicion in diagnosing perinatal TB.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a newborn with latent perinatal tuberculosis infection.
- Review of diagnostic difficulties in neonates and infants.
- Discussion of risk factors for vertical TB transmission.
Main Results:
- A case of latent perinatal tuberculosis infection was diagnosed in a newborn via specific immunological tests, despite a negative tuberculin skin test.
- Diagnostic challenges include poor testing availability during pregnancy and in newborns.
- Risk factors for vertical transmission necessitate careful consideration for newborn chemoprophylaxis.
Conclusions:
- Perinatal TB is rare and challenging to diagnose due to limited testing in pregnant individuals and newborns.
- A high index of suspicion is essential to minimize diagnostic delays and prevent progression to active perinatal TB disease.
- Understanding risk factors is key to implementing timely chemoprophylaxis for at-risk newborns.
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