Modern characteristics of childhood tuberculosis

Abstract

Aim: To study the characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) in children. Materials and methods: We examined 107 children with TB in Regional children tuberculous department, using clinical, radiological and bacteriological methods. Among them 63 (59%) boys and 44 (41%) girls. Children aged 0-5 years 36%, 6-10 years - 7%, 11-14 years - 11%, 15-17 years - 46%. Results: TB of intrathoracic lymph nodes was detected in 22% of children, primary tuberculous complex - 21% of children. These forms are diagnosed in patients aged upto 5 years. Infiltrative TB was observed in 35% of children, mostly aged 15-17 years. Focal tuberculosis was detected in 3%, tuberculous pleuritis in 14% of children and 2% had tuberculous meningitis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in 39 (36%) of children by culture, among them in 13 patents bacterioscopical investigation was also positive. In 16 (15%) patients were identified multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), and their treatment was carried out second-line drugs. Among 24 children with tuberculosis of intrathoracic lymph nodes cultural test was positive in 4 (17%) patients, 2 of them had MDR-TB. 10 of 22 children with primary tuberculous complex had microbiologic confirmation of TB, of whom 5 kids had MDR-TB. Among 41 child with infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis MBT was found in 24 (59%) children, of whom 9 patients had MDR-TB. 6 patients with tuberculous pleuritis had positive culture test of the pleural fluid. Conclusions: nowadays tuberculosis affects more commonly children aged 0-5 years (36%) and teenagers (46%); positive culture test and microscopy was detected in 36% of patients, predominantly in those who had lung parenchyma affection; multidrug-resistant tuberculosis was detected in 15% of children.