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A review of tuberculosis-related referrals among children in Ireland

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Abstract

Background

Immigration has been shown to have an increasingly important effect on the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in developed countries.

Aim

To review patterns of TB-related referrals to a paediatric infectious diseases clinic.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of TB-related referrals of children attending the Rainbow Clinic at OLCHC between 2003–2005.

Results

Forty-seven children were assessed: 18 referred from public health clinics, 5 from general practitioners, and 24 from paediatricians. Most common reason for referral was history of TB exposure (60%). Eighteen (38%) were female, 29 (62%) were male. Thirteen (28%) had latent TB, and 17 (36%) had active disease. Of children with TB disease, 25 (83%) were Caucasian Irish, and the remainder was African. Twenty-five children completed TB treatment and were discharged, and 2 (7%) were lost to follow-up.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the problem of TB in children, the majority of whom are native to this country.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland

    P.Y. Iroh Tam, A. Menon & K. Butler

Authors
  1. P.Y. Iroh Tam
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  2. A. Menon
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  3. K. Butler
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P.Y. Iroh Tam.

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Iroh Tam, P., Menon, A. & Butler, K. A review of tuberculosis-related referrals among children in Ireland. Ir J Med Sci 179, 251–254 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0443-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0443-0

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