CONGENITAL TUBERCULOSIS: A RARE BUT SERIOUS NEONATAL DIAGNOSIS

Congenital tuberculosis is an uncommon yet serious condition in which a fetus acquires infection from the mother, either while in the womb or during delivery. The transmission occurs when a mother with active TB develops a bacillemic state, leading to infection of the placenta or genital tract. The fetus can become infected either through direct hematogenous spread via the umbilical vein or by swallowing/aspirating infected amniotic fluid. Hematogenous transmission often results in primary lesions in organs such as the liver or lungs. Rarely, the infection may also be acquired after birth through environmental exposure. Clinical suspicion must be high, especially in infants with suggestive symptoms and a maternal history of tuberculosis. Confirmatory tests such as CBNAAT or culture of gastric aspirate aid diagnosis. Early initiation of anti-TB medications significantly improves outcomes. This case underlines the need for thorough maternal evaluation and neonatal screening in high-risk cases to facilitate timely treatment.