Tuberculosis disease – Statistics of a paediatric department in the 21st century

Abstract

IntroductionTuberculosis is a leading cause of world-wide mortality and morbidity. A reduced rate of tuberculosis in people aged less than 15 years has been seen in Portugal over the last decade of the twentieth century. Material and methodsRetrospective analysis of tuberculosis cases in children admitted to the Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia January 1 2000 to December 31 2007. The individual epidemiological, clinical, radiological, microbiological and treatment information was analysed. ResultsWe found 23 cases of tuberculosis disease (78% pulmonary tuberculosis and 22% extra-pulmonary tuberculosis). Children's ages varied from 6 months to 16 years, with the male gender predominant. All patients had previously been vaccinated with BCG and there was a prior contact with TB in 57%. 2007 was the year with the highest number of cases. The Mantoux test was positive in 91% cases and M. tuberculosis isolation was possible in 61%. Gastric fluid analysis allowed isolation in 1/3 of cases and bronchoscopy contributed to M. tuberculosis isolation in 43% cases with negative gastric fluid analysis. Every patient underwent at least 6 months of tuberculostatic treatment, without any documented resistances. ConclusionTuberculosis remains a real problem, with the diagnosis, the search for contacts and adequate treatment (including prophylaxis) the main challenge.