1 Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
The management of the infant of a tuberculous mother requires individualization with respect to consideration of the state of maternal disease, likelihood of congenital infection, and subsequent risk to the infant. If the mother has active disease and is sputum positive, BCG and separation of the infant until he becomes tuberculin positive, or the mother becomes sputum negative are recommended. If the mother is sputum negative, and known to be taking medication regularly, on if the mother has a history of tuberculosis adequately treated, she should have a chest film at delivery and 3 and 6 months thereafter, and the infant should be tuberculin tested every 3 months. The use of BCG in such an infant is optional, but it should be considered if careful followup of the infant is uncertain.
Submitted on May 17, 1968