Characteristics and outcomes of pediatric tuberculous meningitis patients with complicated by hydrocephalus with or without tuberculoma at Regional Public Hospital Teluk Bintuni, West Papua, Indonesia

Our national data on tuberculosis epidemiology shows that children are mostly affected in a highly prevalent populations. Age plays a major role in the pathophysiology of tuberculous meningitis (TBM), especially children in developing countries, such as Indonesia, are exacerbated by poor nutrition, squalor, poverty, lack of health awareness and poor health infrastructure. A retrospective cohort study was performed on pediatric TBM patients that were admitted to Regional Public Hospital (RSUD) Teluk Bintuni, West Papua, Indonesia (Jan 1st–Dec 31st, 2017). Out of fourty three pediatric tuberculosis patients, there were 7 children with TBM complicated by hydrocephalus with or without tuberculoma or tuberculoma only; TBM developing hydrocephalus with tuberculoma: 4 cases, hydrocephalus: 1 case, tuberculoma: 1 and within normal limit: 1 case. The cases were evaluated using modified British Medical Research Council staging: Stage I (1/7), Stage IIa, IIb and III were each 2/7. The outcomes of TBM: 3/7 had clinical improvement, for vegetative state 1/7 and mortality were 3/7. In conclusion, majority of TBM pediatric patients in RSUD Teluk Bintuni develop hydrocephalus and tuberculoma. The present of hydrocephalus and tuberculoma in these cases showed the severity of their conditions in which resulted in poor outcome. The capability for early diagnosis, or even prevention aspect in Regional Public Hospital Teluk Bintuni pediatric TBM patient is a very important factors that might affect the outcomes.