Tuberculosis (presumed congenital) in a neonatal unit in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

This is the first report of congenital tuberculosis from Tanzania. It discusses the problems of diagnosis in a typical neonatal unit in a developing country. Three cases are reported within 1 year. Failure to thrive was the most common symptom. We speculate that congenital tuberculosis is not rare and carries a high mortality. There is need to have a high index of suspicion especially where maternal HIV and tuberculosis are highly prevalent.