Congenital TB

CONGENITAL TUBERCULOSIS 

Infection  with tubercle  bacilli  either during intrauterine  life  or before  complete  passage through birth canal  is termed  as  congenital  tuberculosis.   Three  possible  modes  of infection of fetus:-

1)  Hematogenous  infection  via  umbilical vein
2)  fetal  aspiration of infected  amniotic  fluid  

3)  fetal  ingestion of infected amniotic  fluid

 Most common primary site  -----  LIVER  (  primary complex in liver is suggestive   of  congenital  TB) 

Most common   site  ---  LUNG ( prognosis  is poor )

Revised  criteria for diagnosis  of congenital  tuberculosis ( by Cantwell  ) :-

 Proven tuberculosis lesions  in the  infant  plus  one  of the  following:

i.  Lesions  occurring in the  first  week of life,

ii. A  primary hepatic  complex

iii.  Maternal genital tract or  placental tuberculosis,  and

iv.  Exclusion of postnatal  transmission by thorough  investigation of contacts.