A population-based study of children with cerebral tuberculosis in New South Wales

Objective: To determine the incidence of childhood cerebral tuberculosis (t uberculous meningitis [TBM] and tuberculoma) in a defined population. Design: Retrospective, population-based study. Setting and participants: All resident children aged up to 14 years in New South Wales diagnosed with cerebral tuberculosis, from 1982 to 1996. Main outcome measure: Population-based incidence of childhood TBM. Results: 10 children with TBM and one with tuberculoma were identified in t he 15 years. The incidence of TBM was 0.053 (95% CI, 0.025-0.097) per 100 0 00. Eight of the 10 TBM patients were born in Australia and five were of wh ite European origin. Only one had been vaccinated with BCG vaccine. Three o f the children died. Conclusions: The incidence of childhood TBM in New South Wales is low, and comparable with that in other First World countries.