Childhood tuberculosis in a Scandinavian metropolitan area 1984-93

This study was undertaken to describe the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and prognosis of childhood tuberculosis in Copenhagen, with special attention to differences between Danish children and children of foreign origin. From 1984-93, 66 children, aged 0-14 years, in the Copenhagen area were notified for tuberculosis. More than two-thirds of the children of foreign origin, including 5 patients from Greenland, who were transferred to Denmark for treatment. A close adult contact with contagious tuberculosis was identified in only a few patients born to foreign parents, but more than one-third had travelled to their homeland within 1 y prior to diagnosis. 48 patients (73%) were reported to have only respiratory tuberculosis. Tuberculosis located in cervical lymph glands was the most frequent nonrespiratory manifestation, but was found only in children of foreign origin. Five patients had meningitis. The high incidence among foreign children reflects the incidence in their home countries, but poorer and more crowded living conditions among ethnic minorities in Denmark may also facilitate transmission of tuberculosis. Severe manifestations of tuberculosis still occur, even in a low incidence country.