Abstract
Objective: To study the clinical pattern of tuberculosis in malnourished children below five years of age admitted as diagnosed cases of tuberculosis.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional hospital based study done in Kassala Teaching Hospital and Kwaiti Paediatric Hospital during the period from January 2010 to December 2011. Data was collected through a questionnaire detailing full socio-demographic, nutritional and medical history. Examination, anthropometric measurements and investigations of the children included in the study.
Results: The mean (SD) age was 28.8 months in 84 children of almost equal gender distribution. Almost all were of low socio-economic class. 51(60.7%) were BCG vaccinated; the mean duration of symptoms was 46 days. The commonest symptoms were loss of weight in all patients, fever in 95.5% and cough in 79.8% of the study group. The cough had a significant statistical relation to the pulmonary disease (P>0.042). 82.1% of the children had a weight /height percentage of less than or equal to 70%. Chest signs were seen in 66 (87.6%) patients. Pulmonary disease was diagnosed in 72.6%, miliary in 8(9.5%) and meningitic TB ill 4 (4.8%) of the children ill the study group. The WHO score system was positive of >= 7 in 65 (78.6%) of the study group.
Conclusion and recommendation: The clinical diagnostic scores are sensitive but they use nonspecific parameters. Screening of children with adult TB contact and sufficient rehabilitation of malnourished children before labelling them as tuberculous is recommended.