CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS AT A SWISS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - A 2-YEAR STUDY

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) presenting to the University Hospit al, Geneva, Switzerland, was studied over 2 years. Clinical data on al l children receiving antituberculous drug therapy was collected. Of th e 43 identified cases, 42% had active disease (i.e. clinical evidence of organ involvement), the remaining 58% being asymptomatic. All 43 ch ildren originated from countries other than Switzerland. Symptomatic, drug induced hepatitis necessitated temporary interruption of therapy in 2 children (5%). Contact screening yielded three new cases of pulmo nary TB, three previously diagnosed cases and seven instances of a pos itive medical history in relatives living in other countries. Of the 3 4 families in this study, contact screening could not be completed in 8. The results of this study indicate that children with TB are primar ily associated with families originating from countries other than Swi tzerland, particularly those in which TB remains endemic. Tuberculin s kin testing should therefore be targeted at this group. Contact tracin g has also been shown to be beneficial.