ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for children throughout the world. Because most children with tuberculosis infection and disease acquire the organism from adults in their environment, the epidemiology of childhood tuberculosis reflects that in adults. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that, at the beginning of the 21st century, there are on average 8.8 million new cases and 2 million deaths due to tuberculosis worldwide. Children account for at least 1.5 million new cases every year. More than 90% of the new cases are reported in the developing world. Two billion people, one-third of the world population, are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (1,2).
