Clinical Spectrum of Childhood Tuberculosis

Abstract

Abstract:

            Tuberculosis is one of the most infectious and common disease in children in Pakistan. So, it is mandatory to control this killer disease which is possible only by early recognition of symptoms and signs. This study aimed to determine clinical spectrum and identification of risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Children Hospital Faisalabad in Paediatric Medicine Department in children under 15 years from March 2023 to February 2024. A total of 102 patients were enrolled in this study group. Most of the patients were females 53 (51.95%) and male patients were 49 (48.03%). Out of them 53 children were diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis and 49 were with extra pulmonary tuberculosis. Among extra pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculous meningitis was found commonest that is 26 (25.49%) patients then comes abdominal tuberculosis 13 (12.74%) patients. Patients with disseminated tuberculosis were 9 (8.82%). Among disseminated miliary pattern was found in 3 (2.94%) patients. Only one female (0.98%) patient who was admitted with suspicion of lymphoma was found having tuberculous lymphadenitis. Highest proportion of patients were found between 1 to 5 years that is 59 (57.8%) patients then between 5-10 years 24 (23.5%) patients then between 10 to 15 years 19 (18.6%) patients. Highest proportion of families of study subjects belonged to lower socio-economic class that is 53%, 47% belonged to middle class and only 2% is found to upper class. Contact was positive only in 30% and household contact was present in 22%. Ninety-two patients were Immunized according to history but BCG scar was present only in 49 patients. Ninety-four (92.15%) patients were taking un-pasteurized milk. Severe malnutrition was found in 57 (85%) patients.

Keywords: -

          Pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis, extra pulmonary tuberculosis, clinical spectrum.