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Published on: September 5, 2017

Congenital tuberculosis: a rare manifestation of a common disease

Pooja Dewan, Sunil Gomber, Saurabhi Das

    Paediatrics and International Child Health
    |October 5, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    Congenital tuberculosis is challenging to diagnose. This case highlights key clinical and laboratory findings in an infant and mother, confirming congenital tuberculosis transmission.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Microbiology

    Background:

    • Congenital tuberculosis (TB) is a rare but severe condition in neonates, often presenting with non-specific symptoms.
    • Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management and improved outcomes, yet it remains diagnostically challenging.

    Observation:

    • A 2-month-old infant presented with persistent fever and failure to thrive.
    • Radiological imaging revealed lung consolidation and abdominal lesions (liver, spleen, retroperitoneal nodes).
    • Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were detected in the infant's cervical lymph node aspirate.

    Findings:

    • Maternal pulmonary tuberculosis was confirmed via chest radiography.
    • Histological examination of the placenta revealed AFB.
    • The combination of infant's clinical presentation, imaging, and microbiological findings, alongside maternal TB, confirmed congenital tuberculosis.

    Implications:

    • This case underscores the importance of a high index of suspicion for congenital TB in infants with relevant symptoms.
    • Diagnostic confirmation relies on integrating clinical, radiological, and microbiological evidence in both infant and mother.
    • Prompt diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent severe morbidity and mortality associated with congenital TB.

    Keywords:
    Congenital,Infant,Tuberculosis

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