Pattern and Outcome of Childhood Tuberculosis Seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Background: Despite the fact that Tuberculosis (TB) is preventable, treatable and curable, it has remained a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Identifying patterns of TB and its treatment outcome which is the aim of this study is relevant for TB control programmes. Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out over a three-month period from April-June 2019 at the directly observed treatment Short course (DOTS) clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria. Relevant information on all children 0 - 18 years with tuberculosis over a four-year period from January 2015 to December 2018 was retrieved and analysed. Information retrieved included the age, sex, HIV status, method of diagnosis of tuberculosis, type of Tuberculosis and the treatment outcome of the patients. Results: There were 202 childhood (0 - 18 years) cases seen over the study period. Out of these, 109 (53.96%) were males and 93 (46.04%) females. Majority of them (40.59%) were 1 - 4 years of age. There were 194 (96.04%) new cases, 6 (2.9%) transfer and 2 (0.99%) retreatment cases. One hundred and six (80.69%) had pulmonary TB, 23 (11.39%) TB adenitis, 10 (4.95%) had TB spine, 3 (1.49%) TB abdomen and 3 (1.49%) TB meningitis. TB/HIV co-infection rate was 48.45%. One hundred and eight completed treatment, 10 (4.95%) were cured, 22 (10.89%) died, 46 (22.77%) defaulted and 16 (7.92%) were transferred out. Successful treatment outcome rate was 58.41%. Conclusion: Pulmonary TB was the commonest type of TB found and treatment success rate was just above average.