Clinical Profile Of Adolescent Tuberculosis-A Prospective Study

Dhanalakshmi Kumble; Vijeta Rane; Sarala Sabapathy; Mallesh K

Volume : IX, Issue : IV, April - 2020

Clinical Profile Of Adolescent Tuberculosis-A Prospective Study

Dhanalakshmi Kumble, Vijeta Rane, Sarala Sabapathy, Mallesh K

Abstract :

Background: Tuberculosis continues to haunt mankind despite its discovery more than a century ago. The global burden of childhood tuberculosis is under reported due to paucibacillary disease and difficulty in confirming diagnosis.According to 2018 report burden of pediatric tuberculosis is 10 lakh among which 2.2 lakh (22%) is contributed by India .The aim of this study was to assess burden of tuberculosis in adolescent age group,to determine type of tuberculosis among diagnosed cases and to assess the symptomatology and diagnostic modalities. Methods: A hospital based prospective observational study was conducted on adolescents(10-18 years)diagnosed with tuberculosis from November 2017-18 in tertiary care hospital.The diagnosis of tuberculosis was done based on history,clinical examination and laboratory criteria such as sputum examination,CXR, FNAC CBNAAT, MRI,CECT. Results:Out of 60 cases,46(76.7%) were adolescents , among which 32 (69.6%) were female. Pulmonary tuberculosis was found in 15 cases(32.6%), extrapulmonary in 31 cases(67.4%). Among extrapulmonary tuberculosis,tubercular lymphadenitis 9(29%) was most common followed by CNS Tuberculosis 6(19.3%) and abdominal tuberculosis 6(19.3%).Fever and cough(90%) were the most common symptom in pulmonary tuberculosis,abdominal pain (75%) in abdominal tuberculosis and headache(100%) in CNS tuberculosis.Sputum CBNAAT was positive in 17 (36.9%), CSF CBNAAT in 6(13%) and FNAC aspirate CBNAAT in 2 cases(4.34%).Diagnosis was made on basis of imaging in 8 cases(17.4%), FNAC findings in 7 cases(15.2%),based on CXR in 6 cases(13%). Conclusions: Adolescent forms a major burden of pediatric tuberculosis with female preponderence.Extrapulmonary tuberculosis was more common among the total diagnosed cases.Assessment of symptoms aid in opting the appropriate diagnostic method.Availability of CBNAAT and other diagnostic modalities enhances diagnostic capacity of pediatric tuberculosis.