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Pregnancy in patients with tuberculosis: a TBNET cross-sectional survey
Graham H Bothamley1, Cordula Ehlers2, Irina Salonka3
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Homerton University Hospital, London, E9 6SR, UK. graham.bothamley@homerton.nhs.uk.
Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in pregnant women occurs at the expected rate. However, TB is diagnosed more frequently in the three months following delivery compared to during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
Background:
- Investigating the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) during pregnancy relative to the general population.
- Assessing potential delays in TB diagnosis among pregnant individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if tuberculosis incidence during pregnancy exceeds expected rates.
- To evaluate diagnostic delays for tuberculosis in pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted across 13 tuberculosis clinics in Europe and the USA.
- Data were collected via questionnaire from over 15,000 TB patients over one year.
- Analysis focused on the proportion of pregnant women with TB and the timing of diagnosis relative to pregnancy and delivery.
Main Results:
- Pregnancy occurred in 1.5% (224/15,217) of TB patients, aligning with expected rates based on crude birth rates.
- Tuberculosis was diagnosed more frequently in the 3 months postpartum (103 cases) than during pregnancy (68 cases).
Conclusions:
- Tuberculosis diagnosis is more common in the postpartum period than during pregnancy.
- Diagnostic timing for TB in relation to childbirth warrants attention across diverse healthcare settings.
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