|
.................................... Search the net .................................... |
Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergology
2008 October, Vol. XI, No. 2 (3995-4005)
DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGES OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDHOOD
Dalia Steponaviciene, Vaida Kudirkiene
Dept of Paediatric Pulmonology of Kaunas 2nd Clinical Hospital, Kaunas, Lithuania
Tuberculosis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Incidence of tuberculosis in children represent the situation in the country because it reflects the recent transmission. The diagnosis of tuberculosis in children is difficult, because as a rule sputum is smear negative, with a positive culture in only minority of cases. In the majority of cases, the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children is made based on the history of contact with an adult smear positive patient, the symptoms and signs of chronic infection, and the special investigations that include tuberculin skin testing and chest radiography. This article reviews diagnostic chalenges of tuberculosis in children and presents few rare and comlicated cases of tuberculosis in children.