Canadian Journal of Public Health
Volume 98, Issue 4, 2007, Pages 276-280

Pediatric tuberculosis in Alberta: Epidemiology and case characteristics (1990-2004) (Review)

Yip D. , Bhargava R. , Yao Y. , Sutherland K. , Manfreda J. , Long R.*
  • a Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • b Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
  • c Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • d Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, Disease Control and Prevention Branch, Alberta Health and Wellness
  • e Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
  • f Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, Disease Control and Prevention Branch, Alberta Health and Wellness, Tuberculosis Program Evaluation and Research Unit, Aberhart Centre 1, 11402 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3, Canada

Abstract

Background: Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is important medically and indicative of a public health problem. An understanding of the epidemiology and case characteristics of pediatric TB, in a province that accepts large numbers of immigrants, can inform TB elimination strategy. Methods: All cases of pediatric TB notified in Alberta between 1990 and 2004 were identified in the TB Registry. Individual diagnostic criteria were reviewed and case patients were related to a population grid derived from Statistics Canada censuses and population estimates of Status Indians from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada. Incidence rates were determined by ethnic group and gender. Clinical/mycobacteriologic case characteristics were compared by ethnic group and birth country. Results: Among 124 notified cases, 95 (96 episodes) met strict diagnostic criteria: 45 Status Indians, 30 Canadian-born 'other' and 21 foreign-born. Incidence rates were much higher in Status Indians and the foreign-born compared to the Canadian-born 'other'; 10.7, 5.4, and 0.4 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Among Canadian-born 'other' cases, 12 were Métis and 11 were Canadian-born children of foreign-born parents. Compared to foreign-born cases, Canadian-born cases were more likely to have a source case in Alberta, to be detected through contact tracing, to have primary pulmonary TB, and to have a rural address. Conclusion: Pediatric TB in Alberta is mainly the result of ongoing transmission in Aboriginal peoples and immigration to Canada of persons with latent TB infection. The elimination of pediatric TB will require interruption of transmission in Aboriginal peoples and prevention of disease in immigrants.

Author Keywords

Pediatric tuberculosis

Index Keywords

male Canada preschool child female tuberculosis Alberta Child, Preschool pediatrics Review Registries register human Humans Adolescent Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34548515973&partnerID=40&md5=9e2666d95fdf42aa397e38eff3ad5dca
ISSN: 00084263
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English