CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS IN A SCANDINAVIAN METROPOLITAN-AREA 1984-93

This study was undertaken to describe the epidemiology, clinical manif estations and prognosis of childhood tuberculosis in Copenhagen, with special attention to differences between Danish children and children of foreign origin. From 1984-93, 66 children, aged 0-14 years, in the Copenhagen area mere notified for tuberculosis. More than two-thirds o f the children of foreign origin, including 5 patients from Greenland, who were transferred to Denmark for treatment, A close adult contact with contagious tuberculosis was identified in only a few patients bor n to foreign parents, but more than one-third had travelled to their h omeland within 1 y prior to diagnosis. 48 patients (73%) were reported to have only respiratory tuberculosis. Tuberculosis located in cervic al lymph glands was the most frequent nonrespiratory manifestation, bu t was found only in children of foreign origin. Five patients had meni ngitis. The high incidence among foreign children reflects the inciden ce in their home countries, but poorer and more crowded living conditi ons among ethnic minorities in Denmark may also facilitate transmissio n of tuberculosis. Severe manifestations of tuberculosis still occur, even in a low incidence country.