children s health issues
Tuberculosis (TB) in Newborns
Diagnosis of TB in Newborns
Chest x-ray Examination and culture of fluid and tissue samples Sometimes skin testing Some newborns need testing and some do not. Any newborn who has symptoms that suggest tuberculosis or who was born to a mother who has an active tuberculosis infection receives the following tests: Chest x-ray Examination and culture of fluid and tissue samples Spinal tap Blood tests Sometimes tuberculosis skin test A chest x-ray may show signs of tuberculosis. Fluid and tissue samples are taken from the throat, stomach, urine, and placenta. These samples are examined under a microscope to look for tuberculosis bacteria and are used to grow the bacteria in a Culture of Microorganisms . A Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture) is done to obtain a sample of spinal fluid for testing. Blood tests are done to determine whether the newborn has any other infections, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection in Children and Adolescents . Sometimes newborns are given a tuberculosis skin test. In this test, a small amount of protein derived from tuberculosis bacteria (tuberculin) is injected just under the skin. About 2 days later, the injection site is checked. If the injection site is larger than a certain size, the test is considered positive, indicating that the newborn has been infected with the tuberculosis bacteria. However, sometimes the test does not show infection even if the newborn is infected. In these cases, if doctors are still concerned, they may do additional tests. Any newborn who looks well and whose mother has a positive skin test but no signs of tuberculosis on a chest x-ray and no evidence of an active tuberculosis infection should be closely monitored by doctors. All their household members should be evaluated. If after the evaluation doctors determine the newborn hasnotbeen exposed to an active tuberculosis infection, the newborn does not need treatment or testing. If after the evaluation doctors determine the newbornhasbeen exposed to an active tuberculosis infection, the newborn is given the tests described above. 