In Practice
Hospital-based evaluation of tuberculosis-exposed neonates: An approach to complement the South African national guidance
Abstract
The South African National Department of Health published updated guidelines in 2019 for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of communicable diseases. The proposed management of a neonate born to a mother with tuberculosis (TB) was included, and recommended referral of all symptomatic TB-exposed neonates to hospital for TB evaluation. However, no standard approach exists for evaluating hospitalised, symptomatic TB-exposed neonates, including preterm and low-birthweight (LBW) neonates born to mothers with TB. We use a clinical case report to illustrate a suggested approach to hospital-based evaluation of TB-exposed neonates, including preterm and LBW neonates. Guidance for the interpretation of different TB screening investigations in this population is also provided.
Authors' affiliations
A van der Westhuizen, Frere and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals, East London, South Africa
A Dramowski, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
H S Schaaf, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
M Groenewald, Family Centre for Research with Ubuntu, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
A Bekker, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; Family Centre for Research with Ubuntu, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Date published: 2021-08-02
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