title: Incidence rates, clinical features, and case identification of pediatric tuberculosis in Alaska.
abstract: METHODS
  The population of Alaska.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine incidence rates, clinical features, and source of case identification for pediatric tuberculosis in Alaska.
  
  
  METHODS
  A state-wide, population-based, retrospective analysis of all cases of tuberculosis among children 0 to 14 years of age reported to the Alaska Division of Public Health during 1987-1994.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy children with tuberculous disease were identified for an incidence rate of 5.8/100000/year. Compared to whites, Alaska Natives (relative risk [RR], 65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 20 to 207) and people of other races (RR, 21; 95% CI, 5.6 to 79) had an increased risk of tuberculosis. Clinical features did not differ by race. Twenty-three of 45 persons with at least one specimen collected had a positive culture result, including three with isoniazid-resistant strains. While most cases were identified through contact investigations, 23% were identified through required school screening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alaska has a high rate of pediatric tuberculosis, with non-white race identified as a risk factor. Required school screening proved useful for case identification.
authors.affiliation: Alaska Division of Public Health, Section of Maternal, Child, and Family Health, Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit, Anchorage 99501, USA. gess100w@wonder.em.cdc.gov
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Gessner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People