title: Tuberculosis in infants less than 3 months of age.
abstract: The clinical and radiological features in 38 infants less than 3 months of age with tuberculosis proved by culture are described and may aid early diagnosis of this often fatal condition. Respiratory symptoms, cough in 33 (87%) and tachypnoea in 31 (82%), were the commonest presenting symptoms. Twenty five infants (66%) had hepatomegaly and 20 (53%) splenomegaly. Mantoux testing gave an induration of > 15 mm in three of 17 (18%) infants. In a further five a Tine test gave confluent response. Chest radiography in 27 infants showed miliary tuberculosis in seven (26%) and hilar or paratracheal adenopathy in 14 (52%) and 10 (37%) respectively. Compression of either the bronchi or trachea or both was noted in 15 (56%). Detection of this complication was aided by high kilovolt radiographs. A culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was obtained from gastric aspirate in 35 (92%) infants, but positive cultures were also obtained from cerebrospinal fluid, tracheal or bronchial aspirate and liver and lymph node biopsy. Of 30 mothers evaluated seven (23) had previously unsuspected pulmonary tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Schaaf
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gie
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Beyers
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smuts
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Donald
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000175:diagnosis; D014391:Tuberculosis, Miliary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging