OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of Extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) cases that were admitted and diagnosed in a tertiary government hospital from January 2006 to December 2010.

METHODOLOGY: Records of pediatric patients who were admitted in a tertiary government hospital from January 2006 to December 2010 with a diagnosis of Extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis were reviewed. The following information was gathered: demographic profile, clinical profile, results of PPD, complications and mortality rate, and laboratory results.

RESULTS: The sixty-six cases constituted 7.8% of the total pediatric admissions during the same period. There was no significant difference as to sex distribution (53% males vs. 47% females, with 1:1 ratio). Majority of cases involved the meninges (72.7%) followed by lymph node (6.1%), liver (6.1%), bone (6.1%) and genitourinary (3.0%). The three most common symptoms were nonspecific: fever, anorexia and weight loss. The occurrence of fever was universal among all admitted cases of Extrapulmonary TB. With regards to prognosis, the majority (83%) of cases were discharged in improved condition. The case fatality rate was 16.7%.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of new cases of EPTB has remained constant, despite the decline in new cases of active pulmonary TB.