PERINATAL OUTCOME IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

OBJECTIVES: To assess the perinatal outcome of pregnancies complicated by active pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS. The perinatal outcome of 7 9 gravidas with pulmonary tuberculosis was compared with that of 316 n ormal gravidas of similar age, parity and socioeconomic status. RESULT S: The mean birthweight of infants (2649 g) born to tuberculous mother s was 215 g less than that of control group (P < 0.001). Pulmonary tub erculosis was associated with an approximate 2-fold increase in premat urity (22.8% vs. 11.1% P < 0.01), small for gestational age (20.2% vs. 7.9%, P < 0.005) and low birthweight neonates (34.2% vs. 16.5%, P < 0 .001), and 6-fold increase in perinatal deaths (10.1% vs. 1.6%, P < 0. 001). The adverse perinatal outcome was pronounced in cases with late diagnosis, incomplete and irregular treatment, and advanced pulmonary lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal tuberculosis is a high-risk perinatal c ondition. The study emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and treatm ent of tuberculosis, preferably before pregnancy, regular medical supe rvision and goon perinatal care for tuberculous mothers.