Bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in childhood. Clinical and radiological features
Donald, P.R.; Ball, J.B.; Burger, P.J.
South African Medical Journal 67(15): 588-590
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 3920765 Document Number: 251398
Over a 4-year period 185 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in children were confirmed by culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, usually from gastric aspirate. The majority of cases occurred in boys (62%) and the younger age groups were more commonly affected--26% of patients were less than 1 year old and 65% less than 3 years of age. At the time of presentation 40% of the 151 children tested had a negative tuberculin test. A chest radiograph was available in 136 cases. The commonest changes seen were lymphadenopathy (63%) and segmental lesions (56%). The latter affected mainly the right lung and in particular the right middle lobe. Cavitating tuberculous disease was present in 19 children, including 5 aged less than 1 year.