Asma Mushtaq, Samia Naz, Saira Rehman.
Clinical Spectrum and Laboratory findings of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Children.
Pak Paed J Jan ;45(4):419-24.

Objective: To determine the clinical presentations, laboratory and radiological findings and outcome of children with pulmonary tuberculosis. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted at the department of Pediatric Medicine, The Children`s Hospital & the Institute of Child Health, Lahore from January 2018 to June 2018. Material and Methods: All patients of both genders of less than 15 years of age, with pulmonary tuberculosis as per Modified Kenneth Jones criteria, were enrolled in the study. Their demographic data, clinical presentations, examination findings, diagnostic tests, radiological findings, treatment and outcome were noted and recorded on pre-designed proforma. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 16. Results: Fifty patients (26 males) of mean age 7.7(+- 3.8 SD) years were diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis. Cough was present in 43 (86%), fever in 41 (82%), respiratory distress in 34 (68%) and weight loss in 34 (68%) patients. History of contact with a tuberculous patient in 78% of patients. Half of the patients were vaccinated against tuberculosis with a definite BCG scar. ESR was raised in 47 (94%) patients and tuberculin skin test was positive in 26 (52%) cases. Miliary nodules were found in 17 (34%) patients and primary complex in 9 (18%) patients. All patients took anti-tuberculous treatment, 42 (84%) patients discharged and 8 (16%) patients expired. Conclusion: Pulmonary tuberculosis has variable clinical presentations such as cough, fever, respiratory distress and lymphadenopathy along with raised ESR and military mottling. About two-thirds of patients were having contact with an already diagnosed case of tuberculosis.

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