A Case Report on Disseminated Tuberculosis in a Newborn

Congenital tuberculosis (CTB) is a rare and challenging diagnosis with high mortality.As one of the many differentials for newborn sepsis, it should be considered when neonates deteriorate despite broad-spectrum antibiotics.We present a case of a day 19, full-term Indian male neonate with fever, respiratory distress, and abdominal complaints.The response to antibiotics and supportive treatment was not encouraging, so he was evaluated for CTB which revealed disseminated lesions in the lungs, liver, and spleen with abdominal lymphadenopathy.Genexpert CB-NAAT test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) DNA was positive.The neonate responded well on antitubercular therapy (ATT).We could not find the source of infection despite extensive evaluation of close contacts including the mother.We conclude that CTB should be taken into consideration when neonates with sepsis respond poorly to antimicrobial treatment in TB-endemic areas.Diagnostic workup should include obtaining a gastric aspirate sample for the detection of MTB DNA via PCR, and a thorough evaluation of the mother.