Clinical forms, detection and diagnosis of tuberculosis in children during the pandemic and postpandemic period of COVID-19

Introduction. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has had a major impact on tuberculosis (TB) screening. WHO declared in a. 2022 an 18% decrease in notified TB cases between 2019 and 2020 - from 7.1 to 5.8 million cases and a 20% increase in TB deaths over the next 5 years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study. Assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the detection, diagnosis and evolution of TB in children. Material and methods. A retrospective study was carried out which included the analysis of 610 cases of patients aged between 0-18 years, admitted for treatment in the Municipal Clinical Hospital Chisinau between 2019 and 2023. Results. TB predominated in the 0-9 age group. The diagnosis of intrathoracic lymph node TB was established in 68% of cases. Complications were more common in 2023. Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a faulty detection of TB is attested.