• Elena Ariela Banu, Aurel Nechita, Eva Maria Elkan-Cojocaru, Ginel Baciu, Alina Manole, and Liliana Chelaru.
• Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Dunărea de Jos" University, Galaţi; "Sf. Ioan" Emergency Clinic Hospital for Children, Galaţi, Romania.
• Arch Med Sci. 2020 Jan 1; 16 (1): 162-166.

IntroductionIn the context of the global tuberculosis (TB) burden, children represent 10% of all cases, with high incidence rates still reported by many regions worldwide. The study aim was to determine whether there is a correlation between TB clinical diagnosis and low birth weight in children at various ages.Material And MethodsThe study was conducted between 2010 and 2014, on a group of 1783 pediatric patients and a subgroup of 137 pediatric patients with low birth weight (LBW). Data were collected from patients' records and hospital statistical reports then processed using MS Excel 2010 and SPSS v.22.ResultsThe subgroup of LBW patients accounted for 7.68% of all recorded cases. Girls were predominant (total M: F = 0.95; LBW group M: F = 0.91, p < 0.05), most from an urban area (total U: R = 1.29; LBW subgroup U: R = 1.36, p < 0.05). 22.59% of LBW subgroup children were infants aged of 0-12 months. The youngest age at TB diagnosis was 1 month and the lowest weight was 700 g. ANOVA regression for LBW and age at TB diagnosis, showed a multiple R value of 0.0256, p = 0.7659 (F = 0.7659, 95% CI).ConclusionsThe correlation between clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis in children at various ages and their low birth weight was positive but was not statistically significant. However, this research hypothesis should be tested in further studies on larger population groups, due to the current public health context of "End TB", promoted worldwide.Copyright: © 2018 Termedia & Banach.

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