Tuberculosis in children, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused in most cases by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an acid-fast rod-shaped bacillus. Tuberculosis constitutes the main infectious cause of death worldwide. An estimated 1.3 million cases of tuberculosis and 450, 000 associated deaths occur annually in children.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of 212 children with tuberculosis admitted to Gondar University Hospital over a period of five years.

RESULTS

Two hundred twelve children having tuberculosis were studied Their ages ranged from 2 months to 15 years. The median age was 5 years. Majority of the patients were from rural areas. The main presenting symptoms were fever (93%), weight loss (91%), anorexia (90%) and cough (89%). Contact history with tuberculous patient was elicited in 89% of all the admissions. The main organs affected by tuberculosis are the lungs (91%), Iymph nodes (43%), liver (26%), spleen (23%), vertebrae (15%) and the pleura (14%). Most of the patients (90%) were discharged improved. Five per cent died during their stay in hospital and the rest five per cent were discharged against medical advice. High case fatality rate was seen among infants (OR = 8.48, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Tuberculosis is still a major cause of hospital admission and death. Prompt and efficient identification of source of transmission, family screening and early initiation of treatment is recommended in the prevention and control of tuberculosis.