Tuberculosis in Norwegian children--diagnostic challenges
Olbjørn, C.; Bjørnvold, M.; Wathne, K.O.; Gaustad, P.; Abrahamsen, T.G.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 120(15): 1721-1725
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 10904656 Document Number: 517268
Each year, 20-25 Norwegian children below the age of 18 are diagnosed with tuberculosis in Norway. As a demonstration of various difficulties in the work-up and diagnosis of tuberculosis, we present eight infected children aged 15 months to 10 years. Children often contract the infection from adults and may develop serious manifestations including miliary tuberculosis and meningitis. The symptoms are often not specific and tuberculosis may be mistaken for other diseases. Delay and inappropriate diagnostics may have deleterious consequences. The main message is to start treatment upon clinical suspicion of tuberculosis. It is mandatory to sample the necessary biological material for microbiological tests before starting treatment.