Abdominal Tuberculosis in an Infant Presenting With a Small Bowel Obstruction

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is uncommon in children, typically affecting the peritoneum or gastrointestinal tract.
• Vague, nonspecific symptoms and lack of extra-abdominal signs complicate early diagnosis of pediatric abdominal TB.
• Postnatal transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis often occurs via respiratory droplets from an infected mother.

Observation:

• A rare case of a 2-month-old infant with acute bowel obstruction is presented.
• The obstruction was found to be secondary to abdominal tuberculosis.
• The infant's TB was acquired through contact with maternal TB mastitis, a unique transmission pathway.

Findings:

• Abdominal TB in infants is exceptionally rare.
• Maternal TB mastitis can be a source of infection for infants, leading to conditions like bowel obstruction.
• This case underscores a novel route of postnatal TB transmission.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider abdominal TB in the differential diagnosis for infants presenting with small bowel obstruction, especially those with maternal TB exposure.
• Early recognition and diagnosis of abdominal TB in infants are crucial for timely and effective treatment.
• Understanding rare transmission routes like maternal mastitis is vital for preventing and managing pediatric TB.