[Pulmonary tuberculosis in infants. Apropos of 6 cases].
BACKGROUND
The present increased incidence of tuberculosis in children can be explained by contacts with infected adults and/or late BCG vaccination.


METHODS
Six infants, 3 to 18 months-old (mean: 8 months), were admitted from November 1990 to May 1992 for various reasons; only two were admitted with a diagnosis of tuberculosis based on tuberculin test and only one was given a BCG vaccine. The disease produced a broad range of symptoms. Diagnosis was based on tuberculin test and radiographic examination showing lymph node enlargement of mediastinum and segmental consolidation lesions. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in two cases. The patients were given isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and/or pyrazinamide; corticosteroids were added in five patients. Each patient received four or three drugs for 2-4 months and two drugs (isoniazid plus rifampin) beyond, for a mean total duration of 13 months (range: 9-17 months). Repeated CT scan of thorax was performed to evaluate the efficacy of treatment. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 11 subjects in contact with these children.


CONCLUSIONS
Tuberculosis in children is not rare, and BCG vaccination of neonates should be seriously considered.
Service de médecine infantile, CHU Timone-Enfants, Marseille, France.
J C
JC
Dubus
R
R
Piarroux
M
M
Panuel
J M
JM
Garnier
F
F
Faure
P
P
Devred
D
D
Unal
D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011718:Pyrazinamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D011718:Pyrazinamide; D004977:Ethambutol; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin
La tuberculose pulmonaire du nourrisson. A propos de six observations.