Congenital tuberculosis: case report and review of the literature. (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chang, Ching-Wen; Wu, Patricia Wanping; Yeh, Chih-Hua; Wong, Kin-Sun; Wang, Chao-Jan; Chang, Chih-Chen
• Is Part Of: Paediatrics and international child health. Volume 38:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 216
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Congenital tuberculosis -- miliary tuberculosis -- Taiwan; Pediatrics -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Children -- Health and hygiene -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Children -- Diseases -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 618.920009172405
• DOI: 10.1080/20469047.2017.1315912
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-9047

Abstract

Abstract: Congenital tuberculosis is rare, even where tuberculosis (TB) is endemic. A 14-day-old girl presented with a 3-day history of fever and respiratory distress. Her mother was diagnosed with a disseminated TB infection immediately after the delivery which was confirmed by a positive TB-polymerase chain reaction (TB-PCR) and subsequent culture from ascites and sputum. The infant was separated from her mother at birth. Her chest radiograph showed bilateral miliary nodules. Congenital TB was strongly suspected because of the symptoms, signs and maternal TB history, and was confirmed by TB-PCR and culture from the gastric lavage. Timely administration of standard anti-TB therapy resulted in a good outcome. The case highlights the importance of maternal TB history and typical miliary pattern on chest radiography for early diagnosis of congenital or neonatal TB which in turn facilitates prompt treatment and the prognosis.