The evolution of tuberculosis in children with iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

Background. Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) has a primary character from a pathogenetic point of view, being the disease developed as a result of the first contact with an adult sick with contagious pulmonary TB. The evolution of TB in children greatly depends on the presence of comorbidities, among which Iron deficiency anemia is significant. Objective of the study. Analysis of the evolutionary characteristics of TB in children with Iron deficiency anemia. Material and methods. A retrospective study was carried out, by analyzing 92 medical records of children (age 0-18 years) diagnosed with TB and with different degrees of anemia, admitted for treatment in the children’s ward of the Municipal Clinical Hospital of Phthisiopneumology during the years 2023. The particularities of the TB and the effectiveness of the administered treatment were evaluated. Results. Children aged ≤ 10 years predominated 41 (45%), followed by children aged 11-15 years 18 (20%) and 16-18 years 33 (35%). Severe degree of anemia was found in 14 15%) of children diagnosed with TB, grade II and I anemia were 16 (18%) and 62 (68%), respectively. Detection of TB by prophylactic examination as being from contact and/or the presence of other risk factors for TB was in 74 (80%) cases. TB of the intrathoracic lymph nodes was established in 68 (64%), Primary Complex - 24 (36%) children. From the “frequently ill child” group, the majority – 80 (87%) - were appreciated. Treatment for susceptible TB was administered in 85 (92%). All children received treatment for iron deficiency. The improvement of hemogram indices over 20 days of treatment was in 41(45%) and the normalization over a month of treatment with iron preparations-in all cases. The effectiveness of the TB-treatment made up 95% cases. Conclusion. Iron deficiency anemia is frequently found in children diagnosed with TB. Active detection of TB prevailed in children who had anemia. The administration of iron leads to the effective treatment of TB in children.