Clinical Spectrum of Pediatric Tuberculosis: A Microbiological Correlation from a Tertiary Care Center.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The paucibacillary nature of pediatric tuberculosis (TB) makes diagnosis difficult. The aim of the study was to correlate the clinical spectrum of pediatric TB with microbiological diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens from clinically suspected pediatric TB cases were subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining, culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium and cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CB-NAAT) for TB.

RESULTS: Pulmonary TB was the predominant form affecting 36 of 62 (58%) patients. Tubercular meningitis was the commonest form of extrapulmonary type and affected 13 of 26 (50%) children. Microbiological diagnosis by any of the above methods could be established in 35 (56.45%) cases. While 33 of 36 (92%) patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB had radiological findings, of which only 25 (76%) could be microbiologically confirmed, only 24 of 31 (77%) patients with extrapulmonary symptoms had radiological evidence and microbiological confirmation could be achieved in 4 (17%) of these.

CONCLUSION: An integrated approach of diagnosis, including clinical-radiological, microbiological and immunological evidence should be stressed on.