Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Cross-Sectional Study of Practices among Paediatricians in Private Sector, Mumbai
Table 3
Practices related to diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in a child as reported by paediatricians in Mumbai.
Diagnostic practices±
Number
Percent
Symptoms that raise suspicion ()
Prolonged fever
56
88.9
Cough for more than 2-3 weeks#
49
77.8
Loss of weight
46
73.0
Contact with/family history of TB
42
66.7
Loss of appetite
21
33.3
Signs that raise suspicion ()
Signs of malnutrition
48
77.4
Matted lymph nodes
47
75.8
Respiratory signs (crepitation/rhonchi)
43
69.4
Hepatomegaly
12
19
Splenomegaly
11
17
Investigation advised when patient reports with symptoms ()
Chest X-ray
59
93.7
Tuberculin skin test
55
87.3
Complete blood count
49
77.8
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
46
73.0
Sputum for presence of acid fast bacilli#
24
38.1
Immunoglobulins
7
11.1
Gamma interferon
3
4.8
Advising X-ray and/or tuberculin skin test along with sputum# ()
24
100.0
Advising GL or BAL for inducing sputum if the child is not able to produce sputum# ()
21
32.8
Investigation advised when patient reports with X-ray chest suggestive of tuberculosis ()
Tuberculin skin test
42
66.7
Complete blood count
31
49.2
Sputum for presence of acid fast bacilli#
21
32.8
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
31
29.2
Others
3
4.8
±Multiple responses; five most common symptoms and signs are presented; # denotes practice in line with International Standards for TB Care; GL: gastric lavage and BAL: bronchoalveolar lavage.