TUBERCULOSIS

THE SPECTRUM IN ADMITTED CHILDREN AT BAHAWAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL

Abstract

… Objective: The purpose of study is to know the admission rate and spectrum of
the tuberculosis in children admitted in the pediatric unit of a high endemic country. Methods
and Material: This retrospective study was conducted at the Pediatric unit-I, Bahawal Victoria
Hospital Bahawalpur. The records of children older than one month but below 15 years of age
diagnosed as tuberculosis (TB) during the years 2007-2011 were reviewed and were included
for the study. The data (age, sex, history of contact, BCG vaccination, tuberculin test, diagnosis)
were entered on a proforma. Data were entered into SPPS version 13 (Statistical Package
for Social Sciences) package were presented as rates and proportions. Results: There were
72765 children (excluding children below the age of one month) admitted during the period of
five years (2007-2011), out of which 847(1.16%) were diagnosed as tuberculosis. There was no
consistent fall in admission rate over the years due to TB cases. There were 61% male cases.
The maximum cases were reported under the age of 4 years (46%). Out of total 847 TB cases
BCG scar was present in only 410 (48.4%) cases. The history of contact with adult TB case was
found in 243 (28.7%). Tuberculin skin test was positive (≥10mm) in 309 (36.5%) cases. The
most common forms of TB were tuberculous meningitis and pulmonary tuberculosis each accounting
for 37.5% cases. Other forms of tuberculosis included TB pleural effusion 12.5%, TB
abdomen 7.1%, miliary TB 3.1% and TB arthritis 2.2%. Conclusions: The most common form
of TB is meningitis and pulmonary each accounting for 37.5% cases and the maximum cases
were reported under the age of 4 years.