Tuberculosis or TB is an infection caused by a bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis can involve any part of the body.
How does it spread?
The bacteria spreads through air when a patient with TB in the lungs coughs. This would spread the bacteria in the environment. If a child gets exposed to a patient with active TB disease (especially living in the house), then the child can acquire TB.
What are the parts of the body involved with Tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis can involve any part of the body. The most common parts involved are the lungs, lymph nodes, abdomen and brain. It can also involve the bones, joints, skin, etc.
Specialized Tuberculosis Services at Children’s Chest Clinic.
We at Children’s Chest Clinic specialise in the management of tuberculosis in children. We deal with all forms of tuberculosis including chest or lungs, lymph nodes, abdominal, tubercular meningitis/Tuberculosis of the brain. We also deal with tuberculosis of the skin, joints and bones.
We also deal with Tuberculosis with complications like drug induced hepatitis or jaundice, drug induced rash, drug induced cytopenia etc. We also deal with children with Tuberculosis who having no response to treatment or inadequate response to treatment. We also specialise in the management of children with suspected or confirmed Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.
What are the specialized investigations required for diagnosis of Tuberculosis in children?
Usually Tuberculosis can be diagnosed with a Chest Xray and sputum test. In some cases we require specialised investigations like ultrasound, CT scan, flexible bronchoscopy, FNAC and biopsy.
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken up the task of eliminating Tuberculosis worldwide by 2030. Our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi has announced that we wish to eliminate tuberculosis in India by 2025 five years ahead of the WHO goal of 2030. Treatment of childhood tuberculosis remains extremely important in achieving this goal.
