Congenital Tuberculosis (TB) — a disease transmitted from mother to child and reported in fewer than 15 cases annually in India.
Mumbai: A Ghatkopar couple endured a harrowing journey across three hospitals since April in their attempt to save their premature baby, born weighing just 1.5kg. The four-month-old boy was eventually diagnosed with a rare condition — congenital tuberculosis — a disease transmitted from mother to child and reported in fewer than 15 cases annually in India.
The baby’s mother had undiagnosed genital TB for years, which doctors said often presents silently and is usually discovered when women seek treatment for infertility. “There are no other symptoms apart from infertility,” explained TB specialist Dr. Vikas Oswal. The couple had conceived through IVF, unaware of the mother’s TB-positive status.
Born at a private hospital in Powai, the infant remained on a ventilator for two months. Initial medical focus was on his low weight and a heart condition, Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), treated conservatively with medicines. During this period, he also developed a fungal infection, categorized as a hospital-acquired infection.
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Later, the baby was moved to a paediatric hospital at Haji Ali, where he underwent surgery and a 21-day admission for pneumonia, though his TB remained undetected. In July, the family shifted him to Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, where doctors finally identified congenital TB.
Paediatric pulmonologist Dr. Parmarth Chandane said, “The baby was critical, requiring non-invasive ventilation. His mother’s infertility history, chest X-ray, and CT scan findings pointed towards congenital TB, which was confirmed via bronchoscopy.”
Infectious disease expert Dr. Ira Shah added, “He was admitted to the NICU and later shifted to the TB isolation ward. With treatment, his condition improved significantly.”
After a 40-day stay, the baby, now weighing 3.3kg, was discharged on Saturday. He will continue TB medication for a year.
Source: Times of India
