Abdominal tuberculosis in children: experience over a decade

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 8, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

A K Sharma1, L D Agarwal, C S Sharma

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, S.P.M. Child Health Institute, S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur.

Indian Pediatrics
|September 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric abdominal tuberculosis presents diverse clinical signs, complicating diagnosis. This study analyzed 110 cases, finding adhesive and nodal types most common, with strictures and hyperplasia being rare.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) in children presents with varied clinical manifestations.
  • Diagnostic challenges arise due to the protean clinical profiles and non-pathognomonic investigations.
  • Understanding the spectrum of pathology is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the clinical presentation, diagnostic difficulties, and pathological types of abdominal tuberculosis in pediatric patients.
  • To describe the frequency of different pathological varieties, including adhesive, nodal, hyperplastic, and stricture types.
  • To suggest pathogenesis based on a large single-institution experience.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 110 surgically confirmed cases of abdominal tuberculosis in children.
  • Review of clinical profiles, diagnostic investigations, and surgical findings.
  • Classification of pathological types based on surgical evidence.

Main Results:

  • The protean clinical profiles and complications made clinical diagnosis difficult.
  • Investigations were found to be non-pathognomonic.
  • The most common pathological types were adhesive (50%) and nodal (30%).
  • Small bowel strictures were uncommon (10%), and the hyperplastic variety was rarely seen (<5%).

Conclusions:

  • Abdominal tuberculosis in children poses significant diagnostic challenges.
  • Adhesive and nodal types are the predominant pathological forms.
  • Further research into pathogenesis and improved diagnostic tools is warranted.

More Related Videos

Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates10:04

Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates

Published on: September 5, 2017

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients03:47

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients

Published on: October 25, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Tuberculosis01:23

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, primarily targeting the lungs and spreading through airborne transmission. Infection begins when aerosolized droplet nuclei, expelled by an individual with active TB, are inhaled by another person. These microscopic particles carry Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB. Upon reaching the alveoli, the bacilli are engulfed by alveolar macrophages. However, due to their specialized lipid-rich cell wall, these pathogens...