Pulmonary tuberculosis in infants less than one year old: implications for early diagnosis

Tuberculosis in older children has been well described; however, its description in infants is very limited. There are a few studies of infants with tuberculosis in the literature. In this study from February 2007 to May 2009, cases of infantile tuberculosis investigated retrospectively. Thirteen patients with pulmonary tuberculosis detected. Mean age of the patients was 168.8 days. The most frequent symptoms were cough in 10 (72.4%) patients, night sweating in five (35.7%) and fever in three (21.4%). Four patients didn't have any symptoms. Physical examinations were normal in 12 patients. Thorax computerized tomography studies of all of the patients were abnormal included the cases with normal chest radiographies. Antituberculosis treatment was well tolerated by all of the patients and all of them improved. Prevention of tuberculosis in infants rest upon the early detection and treatment of tuberculosis of the infant's household members. This study demonstrates that with high index of suspicion and the correct use of chest radiographs and thorax computerized tomography, the disease diagnosed early in infants. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent dissemination and may reduce mortality, so pediatrician should alert for tuberculosis in infants.