[Clinical and epidemiological changes in tuberculosis in children in the last 5 decades(1950-2000) ].

This study analyses over a 48 years period (1953-2000) the incidence of various clinical forms of TB in children aged 0-8, admitted in several ftizio-pediatric institutions. Follow-up included: primary complex, pleuro-pulmonary involvement, bronchial adenogenic involvement, extra-respiratory forms and major sequelae of primary tuberculosis. The results show a marked decrease of incidence of all TB forms in children and disappearance of chronic extensive primary tuberculosis and major sequelae of primary tuberculosis. The incidence tappered in steps: a sudden decrease in 1964-65, another in 1974, followed by a gradual decline. On contrary, the incidence of multiple sequela calcifications seems to be increasing after 1980. These clinical mutations, especially the one in 1974, may be attributed to strictly observed treatment, to reintroduction of national campaign of BCG vaccination and to the decrease of TB incidence in adults (diminished bacilli offer).