Paradoxical reactions in children with tuberculosis

Abstract

We sought to determine the incidence and clinical spectrum of the paradoxical reaction (PR) to treatment in 1000 children with tuberculosis (TB). Its incidence was 3.3%, presenting as mediastinal adenopathy (n = 12), central nervous system (CNS) tuberculoma (n = 8), increasing size of lymph nodes (n = 8) and serositis (n = 5). Symptoms included breathlessness (n = 7, 21.2%), neck swellings (n = 5, 15.2%), hemiplegia (n = 3, 9.1%), raised intracranial tension (n = 2, 6.1%) and fever or diabetes insipidus (n = 1, 3% each). The mean age of onset of PR was 3.5 months after the start of anti-TB medication. PR was seen predominantly in boys. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was more common in children aged <2 years. Tuberculomas were more common in children aged 2–5 years. Nodal enlargement and serositis were seen equally in all age groups.