[Pediatric tuberculous peritonitis. Case report]

Abstract

Tuberculous peritonitis is an uncommon entity in the infant population. It is an uncommon form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and represents a very low percentage of all cases of tuberculosis. Its symptoms are nonspecific and usually manifesting with ascites, abdominal pain, fever and low weight. The delay in its diagnosis and treatment, originated by its form of presentation, can cause an increase in its morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a 14-year-old patient without concomitant disease or pulmonary tuberculosis, who presented with ascites and fever. Laparoscopy showed multiple nodules in the abdominal cavity compatible with peritoneal tuberculosis, which was subsequently confirmed by culture and molecular test. The patient completed her antituberculosis treatment recovering satisfactorily.