A review of tuberculosis-related referrals among children in Ireland

Background: Immigration has been shown to have an increasingly important effect on the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in developed countries. Aim: To review patterns of TB-related referrals to a paediatric infectious diseases clinic. Methods: Retrospective chart review of TB-related referrals of children attending the Rainbow Clinic at OLCHC between 2003-2005. Results: Forty-seven children were assessed: 18 referred from public health clinics, 5 from general practitioners, and 24 from paediatricians. Most common reason for referral was history of TB exposure (60%). Eighteen (38%) were female, 29 (62%) were male. Thirteen (28%) had latent TB, and 17 (36%) had active disease. Of children with TB disease, 25 (83%) were Caucasian Irish, and the remainder was African. Twenty-five children completed TB treatment and were discharged, and 2 (7%) were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Our study highlights the problem of TB in children, the majority of whom are native to this country.