Perinatal Tuberculosis

DEFINITION

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis infection can attack various organs, especially the lungs.

CAUSE

The cause of tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Babies can contract tuberculosis (TB) through a variety of ways:

·         The spread of infection through palsenta, when the baby is still in the womb

·         Inhaling or swallowing infected amniotic fluid during delivery

·         Inhaling contaminated air after the baby is born. Transmission can be of anyone infected with TB bacteria, such as family members or caregivers of infants infected tuberculosis

Approximately 50% of children born to mothers with active pulmonary tuberculosis will develop the disease during the first year after birth if the child is not given prophylactic medication or vaccine BCG.

SYMPTOMS

Clinical symptoms of tuberculosis in newborns is not specific, but is usually characterized by disturbances in various organs. Newborns can seem acute or chronic pain, and may experience:

- fever

- Looked sleepy

- Not strong suck

- respiratory disorders

- Failed to thrive (no weight gain)

- Enlarged liver and spleen because these organs filter tuberculosis bacteria that cause activation of white blood cells

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is based on symptoms and physical examination.

In pregnant women are routinely conducted tuberculin test. A positive result should be followed by a chest X-ray examination. The tuberculin test is often performed on infants whose mothers gave a positive test result.

If a tuberculosis is suspected, it is necessary to culture of secretions from the respiratory tract, gastric fluid, and urine. Additionally, if required can also be done puncture and cerebrospinal fluid culture.

To determine whether there is infection in the lungs, it is necessary to chest X-rays. Liver biopsy, lymph nodes, lungs, or the lining of the lungs could be done to confirm the diagnosis.

TREATMENT

Therapy depends on whether there is an active tuberculosis disease or only a positive tuberculin skin test results (in the mother, the baby, or both) that indicate the presence of infection without disease manifestation.

TB treatment should be administered in accordance with the doctor's instructions (either a combination of drugs, drug dosage and duration of use). Treatment compliance is crucial, it relates to the success of the treatment and prevention of bacterial resistance to the drugs given. In addition, improper use of drugs can be dangerous because of the risk of side effects that occur.

REFERENCE

- C, Mary T. Perinatal Tuberculosis. The Merck Manual. 2013.