Incidence of childhood tuberculosis with particular reference to pulmonary tuberculosis

Summary

• 1. Incidence of different forms of tuberculosis has been presented in 523 tuberculous children up to 15 years of age. Data have been analysed with respect to different age groups.

• 2. The ratio of pulmonary to extra-pulmonary type was found to be 28% to 72% in marked contrast to the ratio seen in the adults.

• 3. Tuberculous adenitis was the commonest form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (90% in this series).

• 4. It has been shown that the relative frequency of different forms of tuberculosis in childhood is likely to differ in a T.B. clinic and in an out-patients' department of a hospital for children’s diseases. The reasons have been discussed.

• 5. Pulmonary tuberculosis in children has been discussed. Out of 84 cases 22·6% were suffering from primary tuberculosis. Out of remaining 77·4% cases of post primary tuberculosis, 47·7% had cavities and 51% were bilateral. Sputum was found positive by smear alone in little more than half the cases who gave sputum.

• 6. The commonest form of pulmonary disease was cavity with infiltration (36·9%); infiltration without cavitation, 31%; enlargement of regional glands only, 21·4%; miliary, 4·7%; consolidation, 4·7% and atelectasis, 1·3%.

• 7. 108 child contacts of tuberculous patients were examined by fluoroscopy and tuberculin testing; 1·7% had suspicious lung shadows and 14% had heavy hilar shadows. Out of 825 who returned for reading of Mantoux results 52·8% were positive. In the age group 10–15 years 98% were positive.

• 8. Out of 1,008 contacts 1·2% were found to be suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.