Tuberculous Peritonitis in a Peritoneal Dialysis Paediatric Patient: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a primary renal replacement therapy for pediatric end-stage renal disease.
• Peritonitis remains a significant complication of PD, despite advancements in dialysis technology.
• Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, particularly tuberculous peritonitis, is less commonly reported in pediatric PD patients without a history of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Observation:

• A case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis peritonitis is presented in a pediatric patient undergoing PD.
• The patient had no prior history of pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Routine PD cultures were negative, complicating initial diagnosis.

Findings:

• Successful management of tuberculous peritonitis was achieved with appropriate anti-tuberculous therapy.
• This case highlights a rare presentation of tuberculosis in a pediatric PD patient.
• Diagnosis was challenging due to the absence of pulmonary symptoms and negative initial cultures.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider tuberculous peritonitis in pediatric PD patients presenting with unexplained peritonitis, even without pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Diagnostic protocols for PD-associated peritonitis in children may need to be broadened to include tuberculosis, especially with negative routine cultures.
• Early recognition and treatment of tuberculous peritonitis are vital for favorable outcomes in pediatric PD patients.