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Clinical profile of tuberculosis in children

S Shrestha1, R P Bichha, A Sharma

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Jorpati, Kathmandu, Nepal. sabinajoshi1234@hotmail.com

Nepal Medical College Journal : NMCJ
|February 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing childhood tuberculosis often relies on clinical signs alone. This study highlights the importance of clinical features and patient history in identifying pediatric tuberculosis cases, especially when laboratory confirmation is limited.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood tuberculosis (TB) presents diagnostic challenges, frequently relying on clinical assessment.
  • Limited laboratory confirmation rates necessitate understanding clinical indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical profile, laboratory findings, and outcomes of pediatric tuberculosis.
  • To evaluate diagnostic approaches for childhood TB in a community setting.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study was conducted at Nepal Medical College from April 2007 to March 2011.
  • Data collected included clinical symptoms, BCG scar status, TB contact history, Mantoux test results, and diagnostic confirmation methods.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of tuberculosis was 1.5%, with pulmonary TB being more common than extra-pulmonary TB.
  • Common symptoms included fever (75.6%), cough (63.4%), and weight loss (41.5%).
  • Bacteriological or histological confirmation was achieved in only 14.6% of cases.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical features and patient history are crucial for diagnosing childhood tuberculosis.
  • The study underscores the need for effective clinical diagnostic strategies due to low laboratory confirmation rates.

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