Neonatal pulmonary tuberculosis evolving to a destroyed lung.

Tuberculosis (TB) in the newborn is infrequent, difficult to diagnose and often devastating. Congenital TB is rare, with most neonates and young infants becoming infected after birth. The incidence of neonatal TB might increase in industrialised countries as a result of immigration from countries with higher TB incidence among women of childbearing age. We report two cases of post-natally acquired pulmonary TB in newborns who developed marked lung destruction, a complication of TB which has seldom been described in the first month of life. A high index of clinical suspicion is required when evaluating pregnant women at risk for TB and their ill children, as early identification and treatment can prevent the devastating consequences of TB.