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Pulmonary tuberculosis complicating post patent ductus arteriosus ligation recovery: a case report
Uchenna Chinweokwu Onubogu1, Martha Elizabeth Okorie2
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Insights
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) can present similarly in infants. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, especially in TB-endemic areas, to prevent severe complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) beyond the neonatal period can mimic symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), including failure to thrive and recurrent pneumonia.
- Coexistence of PDA and PTB can lead to severe adverse outcomes if not promptly diagnosed and managed.
Observation:
- A 9-month-old female with a hemodynamically significant PDA underwent surgical ligation.
- Postoperative recovery was complicated by initially unrecognized pulmonary tuberculosis, with symptoms misattributed to surgical complications.
- Worsening respiratory symptoms and suggestive chest X-ray findings led to the diagnosis of PTB.
Findings:
- The patient showed remarkable improvement with PTB treatment, including resolution of respiratory symptoms and adequate weight gain.
- Diagnosing PTB in children can be challenging due to lower laboratory test yields compared to adults.
- A combined approach using clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological data is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Implications:
- Symptomatic congenital heart defects in children residing in TB-endemic regions require vigilant screening for coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Missed or delayed diagnosis of PTB in pediatric cardiac patients can significantly impact treatment outcomes.
- Integrated diagnostic strategies are vital for managing complex cases involving cardiac and infectious diseases in children.
Abstract:
Patent ductus arteriosus beyond the early neonatal period presents with failure to thrive, congestive cardiac failure, and recurrent pneumonia which is similar to the presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis. Both clinical conditions can coexist with significant adverse outcomes if not properly treated. This is a case of a 9-month-old female who had a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). She had a surgical ligation of the PDA, and postoperative recovery was stalled by pulmonary tuberculosis which was initially missed as her post-operative symptoms were thought to have been from a post-op complication. She however progressively worsened till the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) was mading a suggestive chest X-ray finding. She was treated for PTB and made remarkable improvement with the resolution of the respiratory symptoms and adequate weight gain. A child with a symptomatic congenital cardiac defect in a TB endemic area can still have pulmonary tuberculosis which should not be missed. Also, the diagnosis of TB in children can be challenging due to laboratory tests that could have relatively poor yield when compared to adults. Hence, to avoid missing the diagnosis, a combination of clinical, laboratory, and regional epidemiology correlation is essential.
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