Critical assessment of infants born to mothers with drug resistant tuberculosis

A study involving 101 pregnant women with multidrug or rifampicin resistant (MDR/RR)-TB found that a positive maternal sputum culture at delivery significantly increased infant TB risk. Health system failures, including inadequate screening, lack of appropriate preventive therapy, and non-maternal transmission from non-maternal sources also contributed to TB development in infants. Infants born to mothers with MDR/RR-TB are at greatest risk if maternal adherence to treatment is sub-optimal. Ensuring maternal TB diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and adequate screening and prevention in all babies born to mothers or households with TB can minimize the risk of infant TB disease development.