The use of clinical laboratory and radiologic data in the assessment of pediatric extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases in Kisumu County Kenya

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis is detected more frequently in children than adults since the risk of lymphohematogen spread is high in young children. Tuberculosis may attack any organ in the body, including the lymph nodes and the central nervous system. In children, it is difficult to detect tuberculosis since most signs and symptoms are not easily detected in young children. However, it has been documented to be the most crucial cause of mortality in the childhood age group. It has also been found to be non-specific, with low sensitivity to diagnostic tests amongst pediatric patients. This is partly because of its ability to mimic many other disease manifestations. This study evaluated the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic observations and treatment outcomes in pediatric patients followed up in the TB clinic.