PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN INFANTS

Background. - The present increased incidence of tuberculosis in child ren can be explained by contacts with infected adults and/or late BCG vaccination. Patients. - Six infants, 3 to 18 months-old (mean: 8 mont hs), were admitted from November 1990 to May 1992 for various reasons; only two were admitted with a diagnosis of tuberculosis based on tube rlin test and only one was given a BCG vaccine. The disease produced a broad range of symptoms. Diagnosis was based on tuberlin test and rad iographic examination showing lymph node enlargement of mediastinum an d segmental consolidation lesions. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was foun d in two cases. The patients were given isoniazid, rifampin, ethambuto l and/or pyrazinamide; corticosteriods were added in five patients. Ea ch patient received four or three drugs for 2-4 months and two drugs ( isoniazid plus rifampin) beyond, for a mean total duration of 13 month s (range:9-17 months). Repeated CT scan of thorax was performed to eva luate the efficacy of treatment. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 11 subj ects in contact with these children. Conclusion. - Tuberculosis in chi ldren is not rare, and BCG vaccination of neonates should be seriously considered.