Tuberc Respir Dis.  1980 Mar;27(1):9-18. 10.4046/trd.1980.27.1.9.

A Clinical Observation on Tuberculous Meningitis in Childhood

• KMID: 2528887
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1980.27.1.9

Abstract

1. Age and sex distribution: 90.9% were under the age of 6, the greatest number being between the age of 1 and 2. Male to female was 1. 75: 1. 2. Fa111ily history of tuberculosis was found in 51. 9%, mostly in both parents. 3. BCG vaccination history was obtained in 16.7% of tuberculous meningitis cases, which was significantly less compard to control. No significant difference was noted in noted in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. 4. Tuberculin skin test revealed positive reaction in 41. 6% of cases. 5. Duration between onset to admission was most commonly less than 3 weeks. 6. The most common symptoms on admission were .vomiting, fever, convulsion, disturbance of consciousness and headache in order of frequency. 7. Chest X.ray revealed tuberculous lesions in 57.1% and miliary tuberculosis was found in 16. 4% of all cases. 8. Average hemoglobin level was 11. 4gm%, leucocyte count 12,800/㎣ , and ESR 23mm/hr. 9. Leucocyte count in the C.S.F. on admission were between 50 and 500/㎣ in 78% of all cases and mean count was 247/㎣ with 71% of lymphocyte. Mean protein level in the C.S.F. was 219mg% and 83.1 % of all cases were over the range of 50mg%. Sugar in the C.S.F. was definitely reduced less than 40mg% in 76.6 % of cases and mean level was 35mg%. Mean chloride level in the C.S.F. was 107mEq/L. 10. Clinical stage on admission revealed 14 cases of stage I with 12 cases (85. 7%) of recovery. 37 cases of stage II with 21 cases (56.8%) of recovery and 26 cases of stage III with 12 cases (46%) of recovery; Overall mortality was 9. 0%. 11. Hospital days were less than 3 weeks in 57.1% of all cases. 12. Microscopic diagnosis was made in 28.6% of cases. Including the oher diagnostic criteria such as positive tuberculin test. abnormal C.S.F. findings, tuberculous lesions of other site etc ., confirmative diagnosis could be made in 74.1% of cases.