[Detection of tuberculosis in infants and preschool children].

The paper analyzes 367 case histories of babies, infants and preschool children treated for local tuberculosis at a specialized pediatric unit in 1977-1996. It is ascertained that tuberculosis was detected in 55% of children on their referral for medical aid and in 45% on prophylactic examinations. Prophylactic examinations detected tuberculosis of the intrathoracic lymph nodes more frequently (72.7%) and primary tuberculosis less frequently (26.7%). On referrals, tuberculosis of the intrathoracic lymph nodes, primary tuberculosis, and other forms of pulmonary tuberculosis were diagnosed in 68.8, 25.0, 6.2%, respectively. When tuberculosis was identified on referrals, pulmonary tuberculosis was much more commonly complicated. To form a tuberculosis risk group and to make prophylactic antituberculosis measures are an inherent condition for early detection of tuberculosis.