Tuberculosis and myelofibrosis in children: a report

Seven children, six boys and a girl, aged from 2 to 15 years with proven myelofibrosis are reported. The clinical presentation in each of them was more or less similar with weight loss, moderate or low-grade fever, and abdominal distension with pain or discomfort for some months. They had hepatosplenomegaly. The spleens, enlarged to more than 6 cm below the costal margin, were smooth, firm and not tender. There was a variable degree of generalized lymphadenopathy. They were diagnosed as myelofibrosis associated with tuberculosis. The clinical response to anti-tuberculous chemotherapy was remarkable. Extensive search should be made for evidence of tuberculosis in children presenting with myelofibrosis.