Tuberculosis (tb) in newborns

[Sommer]

Tuberculosis is a contagious infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Newborns can be exposed to the bacteria in various ways.
Symptoms include fever, reduced energy, and difficulty breathing.
The diagnosis may involve a chest x-ray, a blood test, examination and culture of fluid and tissue samples, and a spinal tap.
An antibiotic may be given to infants who have been exposed to someone who has an active infection even if they are not sick.
Infected newborns and pregnant women are given antibiotics to treat the infection.

(See also Overview of Infections in Newborns and Tuberculosis in adults.)
Infants become infected when they are exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infants can be exposed in several ways:

Before birth: Infection occurs if the bacteria cross the placenta (the organ that provides nourishment to the fetus) and infect the fetus.
During birth: Infection occurs if the newborn breaths in or ingests infected fluid from the birth canal.
After birth: Infection occurs if the newborn inhales infected droplets that have been coughed or sneezed into the air by family members or nursery personnel.

About 50% of children born to mothers who have an active tuberculosis infection in their lungs develop the infection during the first year of life unless preventive antibiotics or a vaccine called bacille Calmette-Gu