Perinatal tuberculosis in Western Amazon

Abstract

Objective: To report the case of a patient who developed perinatal tuberculosis complicated by pulmonary and lymph node involvement. Case detail: Female patient, born at 34 weeks. At two months, she started coughing, having daily fever and sweating. The parents presented a similar picture in the intrauterine period, however, they were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis only when the child was one month old and he had not received chemoprophylaxis. After two months of evolution of the condition, she presented respiratory discomfort. She was hospitalized and treated for bacterial pneumonia, in addition to the investigation of pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnosis was confirmed with positive bacilloscopy through gastric lavage and treatment was initiated, and the patient was discharged after stabilization. At six months, while undergoing maintenance treatment, a mass appeared in the right supraclavicular region, with progressive evolution and phlogistic signs. Later, she was transferred to the capital, being admitted to a reference hospital for infectious diseases and presenting to the service because of an abscess in the right supraclavicular region. Final considerations: TB should be considered in all cases of infants who have progressive pneumonia and poor response to conventional antibiotic treatment. Identification and prenatal treatment of active disease or latent maternal infection can prevent perinatal TB or allow for its early diagnosis.