[Childhood tuberculosis]
OBJECTIVE: This review paper on tuberculosis in children aims at describing the classical pathogenic findings and to discuss practical features for diagnosis, treatment and prevention, based on Brazilian official rules. METHODS: The author reviews the last 5 years literature on the subject using as sources Medline, Ministry of Health official publications and Brazilian medical publication not included in the Index Medicus, as well. RESULTS: A fluxogram is described for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children and presented as a proposal for implantation in low complexity health services. Figures displaying tuberculosis treatment models proposed by the Ministry of Health are also showed. New prevention concepts introduced in the last 5 years are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis in children remains a diagnostic challenge. Treatment rules have been well defined. Prevention measures should be reinforced.
Sant'Anna
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CC
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.