Clinical forms and epidemiologic profile of tuberculosis in children Dr. Mario Catarino Rivas Hospital

Abstract

Introduction. Tuberculosis (TB) is a widespread and increasingly important infectious disease. A third of the world-wide population is infected. Every year, one million cases occur in children under 15 years old. In Honduras, 2,862 cases were reported during 2,008 with an incidence of 37.4/100000 people.

Objective. To identify the clinical forms and epidemiologic profile in children diagnosed with TB.

Patients and Methods. A descriptive study was conducted. Sociodemographic, epidemiologic and diagnostic information was gathered from surveys applied to children with TB, who were admitted to or were managed at the outpatient clinic at the National Hospital Dr. Mario Catarino Rivas (HNMCR), from July 2013 to July 2014 (n=56).

Results. 27(48.2%) were female and 29(51.8%) were male. There were 12 (21%) children between 2-24 months, 7(12.5%) were 3-6 years old, 14(25%) cases between 7-11 years old and 23(41%) cases were older than 12 years. The clinical forms of TB were pulmonary TB (n= 38(68%) and extrapulmonary TB (n=18(32%)). 18% (10 cases) were co infected with HIV.

Conclusions. Pulmonary TB is the most frequent form of TB disease affecting primarily young children and adolescents. 22% of TB cases are associated with immunodeficiency, specially TB/HIV co-infection. The main diagnostic methods used were isolation of the bacillus, tuberculin test, and radiological images.

Acta Pediátrica Hondureña, Vol. 4, No. 2 / Octubre 2013 a Marzo 2014: 298-306