Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Paediatric Tuberculosis Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre in Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Paediatric tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem in India, characterized by various clinical manifestations and strong epidemiological determinants. Understanding the clinico-epidemiological profile is essential for early diagnosis and effective management. Material and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Central India and included 150 paediatric TB patients diagnosed as per NTEP guidelines. Data on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, BCG vaccination, contact history, nutritional status, clinical presentation, and type/site of TB were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: The majority of cases were aged >10 years (36%), followed by 5–10 years (30.7%). A male predominance was observed (60%). Most patients were from urban areas (79.3%) and belonged to lower or upper-lower socioeconomic classes (58.7%). BCG vaccination scar was present in 76% of children, while 21.3% had a positive contact history. Malnutrition was observed in 21.3% of cases. Fever (69.3%), cough > 15 days (50.7%), and weight loss (45.3%) were the most common symptoms. Extrapulmonary TB constituted a substantial proportion, with CNS (24.0%), lymph node (15.3%), abdominal (12.7%), and pleural (9.3%) involvement, while pulmonary TB accounted for 31.3%. Conclusion: Paediatric TB predominantly affects socioeconomically disadvantaged urban populations and presents with diverse clinical manifestations. Malnutrition and contact history remain important risk factors. Strengthening early detection and comprehensive evaluation is essential to improve outcomes.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Paediatric TB, clinical profile, extrapulmonary TB, Central India.