[Congenital tuberculosis. Apropos of a case disclosed after necrotizing enterocolitis]

The authors report on the observation of a premature infant (gestational age 31 weeks, birth weight 1440 g) who experienced a necrotizing enterocolitis and a congenital tuberculosis. Congenital tuberculosis is a rare infection; transmission of Koch's bacilli is achieved through hematogenous route or more frequently through inhalation or ingestion of infected amniotic fluid. The diagnosis was done when miliary patterns were found on the mother's chest X-ray. At the same time, the newborn presented with a chronic lung disease, a poor clinical status with biological signs of inflammation. Usual antibiotics were unsuccessful. A rapid improvement was obtained with a specific antituberculous treatment.