Clinical and radiological characteristics of primary pulmonary tuberculosis in adolescents

• Published in: Anales españoles de pediatría Vol. 52; no. 1; p. 15
• Main Authors: Alvarez Martín, T, Merino Arribas, J M, Ansó Oliván, S, Montero Alonso, R, Gil Rivas, M T, Aldea Martínez, J, Sánchez Martín, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.01.2000
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - diagnostic imaging; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0302-4342

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, clinical and radiological particularities of primary pulmonary tuberculosis in children between 10 to 16 year-old in our community. The medical records and chest X-ray of all children under 16 years old diagnosed of primary pulmonary tuberculosis between 1982 to 1996, and a similar characteristics control group diagnosed of bacterial pneumonia were reviewed. The difference between teenager with tuberculosis and pneumonia and between patients with tuberculosis under 10 years and order were analysed. Between January 1982 and December 1996, 83 children with age range from 10 to 16 years were diagnosed of primary pulmonary tuberculosis. The incidence has been 15,5 cases/100000 h < 16 years/year. The primary pulmonary tuberculosis whole incidence in children under 16 year-old has been 17 cases/100000 h/year (182 cases). The adolescents fits to 40.5% of the hold group. 51.2% were girls and 49.8% were boys. Middle age has been 14.2+/-0.18 years with a progressive increased with the age. Anorexia (38% vs. 16.6%) and asthenia (38% vs 19.4%) have been more frequents in teenagers with tuberculosis. Cough has been the most frequent symptom in both groups (61.9% and 77.7%), and respiratory distress has been the most characteristic of tuberculosis (17.8% vs 2.7%). Thoracic pain was more frequent in patients with tuberculosis 10 years or older (57.8% and 7.8%). Laboratory values are not specific. Pleural effusion (46.4% vs 22.2%) and mediastinal lymphadenophaty (60.1% vs. 40.4%) were the most characteristic X-ray finding in teenagers and children under 10 years with primary pulmonary tuberculosis respectively. Primary pulmonary tuberculosis has a high incidence in the teenager population in our community with a progressive increased with the age. The clinical and laboratory values are unspecific in this age group. The most characteristic X-ray finding is pleural effusion (46.4% of the patients).