Hepatitis in children with tuberculosis: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis in young children with tuberculosis (TB) outside miliary TB is not well described and represents a challenge because of the hepatotoxicity associated with first-line anti-TB treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an antibiotic naïve 13-month-old male from Nepal with pulmonary TB and hepatitis, who improved after TB treatment. We also performed a literature review for TB-associated hepatitis in children. CONCLUSIONS: Liver function tests should be considered, when feasible, in infants and young children with pulmonary TB. Testing could help to identify and manage patients with TB-associated hepatic abnormalities, and also to establish a baseline for detection and management of liver injury associated with anti-TB therapy.