Demographic profile, clinical and microbiological predictors of mortality amongst admitted pediatric TB patients in a tertiary referral tuberculosis hospital

Background Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) constitutes 8% of the total caseload of TB. Children are particularly vulnerable to dissemination of disease and mortality. Aim To determine mortality rate, elucidate type of TB, causes and predictors of mortality, if any, in admitted pediatric TB patients. Methods Present retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary referral center over last 6½ year on children who died out of total TB admissions. Results Out of total 1380 pediatric ( Conclusion Early referrals of non-responders and failures to centers equipped with programmatic management facilities are essential for proper, timely management of pediatric TB to reduce mortality.