Pulmonary tuberculosis in children: sociodemographic, clinical and progressive aspects in the pediatric department of Kamsar hospital

Abstract

Introduction

Pulmonary tuberculosis in children is a public health problem. First of all, it remains a major health problem worldwide, with more than a million new cases each year in children under 15 years old.

The objective of this study was to determine the sociodemographic, clinical and progressive characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in children in the pediatric department of Kamsar hospital.

Methods

This was a prospective, descriptive study over a period of 12 months (January 1 to December 31, 2022) in the pediatric department of Kamsar Hospital. The study concerned all children aged 0 to 15 years admitted to the service for confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis.

Results

The hospital frequency was 2%;%), the average age was 8.45±4.67 years; the M/F sex ratio was 2.42. The average time to admission was 38.2±25.1 days; the reasons for admission were dominated by fever 24(100%), chronic cough 24(100%) and breathing difficulties21 (87.5%). IDR was positive in 8(34.78%) and AFB positive in 8(33.33%) of the cases; the frontal chest x-ray was abnormal in 21 (87.5%). 21 (87.49%) were left improved; 2 children died (8.34%) and 1 (4.17%) was lost to follow-up.

Conclusion

Prevention of pulmonary tuberculosis involves protecting children from adults with tuberculosis through awareness-raising measures in the media and public places.

Keywords: pulmonary tuberculosis, child, pediatrics, kamsar.