A case series of three infants having pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Progression of primary pulmonary tubercular infection to active disease is not common in infants. Bacterial pneumonia is usually an imposter and its suspicion usually delays a definitive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and starting antitubercular treatment. Although congenital tuberculosis infection from infective mother is a possibility but most commonly, they acquire postnatal disease by contact with an infectious adult source. We are sharing our experience of three infants referred to our side who were being treated as bronchopneumonia for a period of 15 to 20 days, and subsequently were diagnosed with post primary pulmonary tuberculosis for a period of 1 year.

Keywords

• gastric aspirate
• infants
• pneumonia
• progressive primary pulmonary tuberculosis