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Tuberculous Meningitis in Children

Most people know about tuberculosis, but many people are unaware of a condition called tuberculous meningitis that can affect children with tuberculosis. Although rare, it can be life threatening. The symptoms appear slowly, but the signs are specific and noticeable.

  1. About

    • Tuberculous meningitis is uncommon disease in children, but results from specific conditions. It is a serious condition and needs medical attention to avoid long-term damage to the child.

    Cause

    • The condition called tuberculous meningitis occurs when bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis attack the brain.

    Risk Factors

    • Because this is such a rare condition in children, the risk factors are easily identifiable. Those risk factors include tuberculosis, alcohol abuse, AIDS and any other immune-compromising diseases.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of tuberculous meningitis are similar to flu symptoms, but signs do exist that point directly to tuberculous meningitis. These signs include seizure, losing consciousness, an intense headache and a stiff neck.

    Testing

    • The most common way to test for tuberculous meningitis is to obtain a sample of spinal fluid with a spinal tap. Sometimes a brain biopsy or a tuberculosis skin test is required.

    Treatment and Prognosis

    • When a child is diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis, a serious of drugs and steroids are given for about one year. The prognosis for tuberculous includes brain damage, paralysis, seizures and death, if left untreated.

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