[Tuberculosis in 0-14 year-olds in Cuba (1994-2003)]. / Tuberculosis en niños de 0-14 años: Cuba, 1994-2003.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis in infants and children is a sign of continuous transmission. The present article describes the distribution and the trend in incidence rates of new tuberculosis cases in 0-15-year-olds in Cuba. METHODS: Incidence rates and their trend were estimated by provinces and age groups for the 1994-2003 period. Distribution and overall variation percentages, annual average rates, and rates and percentages according to classification were determined. RESULTS: The incidence rate decreased from 0.76 x 10(5) in 1994 to 0.31 in 2003 (59.2% of the overall reduction and 6.6% of the annual average reduction). The highest rate (1.06 x 10(5)) was found in 1995 (26 cases). In almost all provinces, the incidence trend decreased, except in the City of Havana, Sancti Spíritus, Santiago de Cuba, and the Isle of Youth. Childhood tuberculosis was mainly pulmonary (69.6%). Among the affected population, the highest percentages were found in the groups aged 10-14 years (35.6%) and 1-4 years (35.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis is infrequent and is extremely uncommon in infants. Notification is low throughout the country and the overall trend shows a steady decrease.

Tuberculosis en niños de 0-14 años: Cuba, 1994-2003 / Tuberculosis in 0-14 year-olds in Cuba (1994-2003)

Introducción La ocurrencia de tuberculosis en niños es un signo de transmisión continua de la infección. En este estudio describimos la distribución y tendencia de las tasas de incidencia de casos nuevos de tuberculosis de niños menores de 15 años de edad en Cuba. Métodos Se estimaron las tasas de incidencia y su tendencia, por provincias y grupos de edades del período 1994-2003. Se determinó la distribución porcentual, porcentaje de variación global y promedio anual de las tasas, así como las tasas y porcentajes de tuberculosis según su localización. Resultados La tasa de incidencia disminuyó de 0,76 × 105 en 1994 a 0,31 en 2003 (59,2 % reducción global y 6,6 % reducción anual como promedio). En 1995 se notificó la tasa más alta 1,06 × 105 (26 casos). En casi todas las provincias la tendencia de la incidencia fue descendente, excepto en Ciudad Habana, Sancti Spíritus, Santiago de Cuba e Isla de la Juventud. El 69,6 % de la tuberculosis infantil fue de localización pulmonar. Los grupos de edades de 10-14 años (35,6 %) y 1-4 (35,2 %) presentaron los porcentajes más altos dentro de la población infantil afectada. Conclusiones La tuberculosis es muy poco frecuente y más bien rara en menores de un año y en general presenta notificación muy baja en todo el país con una tendencia global descendente mantenida

Introduction Tuberculosis in infants and children is a sign of continuous transmission. The present article describes the distribution and the trend in incidence rates of new tuberculosis cases in 0-15-year-olds in Cuba. Methods Incidence rates and their trend were estimated by provinces and age groups for the 1994-2003 period. Distribution and overall variation percentages, annual average rates, and rates and percentages according to classification were determined. Results The incidence rate decreased from 0.76 × 105 in 1994 to 0.31 in 2003 (59.2 % of the overall reduction and 6.6 % of the annual average reduction). The highest rate (1.06 × 105) was found in 1995 (26 cases). In almost all provinces, the incidence trend decreased, except in the City of Havana, Sancti Spíritus, Santiago de Cuba, and the Isle of Youth. Childhood tuberculosis was mainly pulmonary (69.6 %). Among the affected population, the highest percentages were found in the groups aged 10-14 years (35.6 %) and 1-4 years (35.2 %). Conclusions Tuberculosis is infrequent and is extremely uncommon in infants. Notification is low throughout the country and the overall trend shows a steady decrease