Abdominal Tuberculosis in an Infant Presenting With a Small Bowel Obstruction. Issue 7 (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matettore, Adela; Rajaprakash, Meghna; Bennett, Mary; Skarsgard, Erik D.; Goldman, Ran D.
• Is Part Of: Pediatric emergency care. Volume 37:Issue 7(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: tuberculosis -- infant -- bowel obstruction; Pediatric emergencies -- Periodicals; 618.92002505
• DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001872
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0749-5161

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is rare in children and usually spread in the peritoneum or gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms tend to be vague and nonspecific, with no extra-abdominal involvement, presenting a challenge for clinicians and delayed diagnosis. Postnatally acquired abdominal TB is most commonly transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of respiratory droplets with Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the mother. Abdominal TB in infants is rare. We present a case of a 2-month-old infant presenting with an acute bowel obstruction secondary to abdominal TB acquired through contact with maternal TB mastitis. This unique case emphasizes the importance of considering abdominal TB in the differential for at-risk infants presenting with small bowel obstruction.