Tuberculosis (TB) in Children

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: James T. Gaensbauer, M.D., M.S.

Each year, we recognize World TB Day on March 24. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). World TB Day is a day to educate the public about the impact of TB around the world. 

The CDC, along with our partners and colleagues around the world, share successes in TB prevention and control and raise awareness of the challenges that hinder our progress toward the elimination of this devastating disease.

Tuberculosis continues to be a global health concern.  Despite being preventable and very treatable, this disease continues to cause suffering and death.  It accounted for an estimated one and a quarter million deaths worldwide in 2023. In the United States, cases have been increasing over the past several years, and this is also true in children, especially in those under the age of 5 years. What are the common risk factors for tuberculosis in children? Is the disease different in children compared to adults? What should we, as a primary care provider do when we suspect tuberculosis in a young patient? These are some of the questions I’ll be asking my guest for this podcast, James T. Gaensbauer, M.D., M.S., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic as we discuss “Tuberculosis in Children”.

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