Tuberculosis and pregnancy.

ABSTRACT

As tuberculosis (TB) is prevalent all over the world and affects all ages, its management during pregnancy and lactation is of special importance. It affects the health of both mother and the infants. There are many constraints in the diagnosis of TB in pregnancy including hazards of radiography. Treatment of tuberculosis requires a careful selection of drugs and avoiding agents, which are unsafe during pregnancy. Untreated TB cases risk to both mother and infant. Most of the antituberculosis drugs are secreted in breast milk but the concentrations are sub-therapeutic. INH prophylaxis is a serious consideration for infants born to mothers with active pulmonary TB. Congenital TB, although rare, is a definite entity and needs to be recognized.