CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS IN GOMELREGION

Abstract

Objective: to analyze cases of childhood tuberculosis in Gomel region over the last 12 years. Material and methods. We have conducted a retrospective study of tuberculosis cases in children aged 1-14 over the period 2006-2017. Results. The ratio of childhood tuberculosis was 0.7% (0.5-0.8) among all new cases of the disease. A high level of microbiological confirmation of tuberculosis (26.7%, 16.0-39.6) was observed. Contact with a tuberculosis patients was found in 53.3% (40-66.3). The Mantoux test remains relevant in the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis (the size of the papule is 12.3 ± 4.8 mm). More than a third of the sick children were in a socially dangerous situation. HIV-associated tuberculosis in the children was 18.3%. Most of those children lived in families being in contact with tuberculosis patients. Conclusion. A low rate of childhood tuberculosis has been recorded in the region. A high incidence rate of tuberculosis in children in contact with tuberculosis patients indicates a low grade of measures against the exposure to tuberculosis infection. The prevention and detection of tuberculosis among HIV-positive children are a topical issue.