Childhood Tuberculosis and its Relation with Nutrition: A five Year Retrospective Study

Authors

  • Uma Chhetri Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7896-5393
  • Aparna Mishra Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal
  • Kastur Chand Jain Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal
  • Keshav Raj Bhandari Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal

Keywords:

anemia, malnutrition, Nepal, pulmonary, tuberculosis

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is the sixth leading cause of mortality in Nepal. Childhood tuberculosis consisted 5.54% of newly registered 32,056 cases in 2016-17. Malnutrition is a predictor of tuberculosis and is associated with poorer outcomes. This study evaluates the clinico-epidemiologic profile of childhood tuberculosis and its relation to nutritional status.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 60 cases of tuberculosis admitted over a period of five years. Details regarding demographics, anthropometry, symptomatology and examination findings were retrieved. Diagnosis was categorized as pulmonary, extra-pulmonary and disseminated tuberculosis. Findings of various investigations were noted. Nutritional status of the patients was assessed using the WHO standard charts. Association of malnutrition and anemia with types and severity of tuberculosis was assessed.

Results: A total of 60 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 7.9 years (SD = 4.6). The commonest presenting symptom was fever (83.3%) followed by decreased appetite (33.3%) and weight loss (26.7%). Cough was the predominant symptom in pulmonary tuberculosis (45%). Only eight cases were bacteriologically confirmed. Underweight, wasting and stunting were observed in 68.4%, 63.3% and 53.3% of cases respectively. Wasting was significantly associated with severe forms of tuberculosis (p = 0.03). Anemia was present in 89.5% of under five children (p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Malnutrition often co-exists in a significant proportion of children with tuberculosis. Diagnosis in resource limited settings heavily relies on clinical suspicion and supporting investigations. Anemia is significantly associated with childhood TB, especially under five children.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22502/jlmc.v6i2.217

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Author Biographies

Uma Chhetri, Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal

Consultant, Department of Pediatrics

Aparna Mishra, Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal

Lecturer, Department of Pediatrics

Kastur Chand Jain, Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal

Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Keshav Raj Bhandari, Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal

Statistician

Uma Chhetri

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Published

2018-07-11

How to Cite

Chhetri, U., Mishra, A., Jain, K. C., & Bhandari, K. R. (2018). Childhood Tuberculosis and its Relation with Nutrition: A five Year Retrospective Study. Journal of Lumbini Medical College, 6(2). Retrieved from https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JLMC/article/view/23650

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Original Research Articles

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