Abstract
One hundred, non-consecutive, non-randomized, cases of tuberculosis divided in 2 groups i.e. Group A including 50 BCG vaccinated children and Group B including 50 unvaccinated children were studied to determine the pattern of tuberculosis and the role of protein energy malnutrition in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Thirty four per cent of Group A and 52 per cent of Group B had severe protein energy malnutrition. Sixty eight per cent in Group A and 76 per cent in Group B had intrathoracic forms of tuberculosis. Twelve (24%) patients in Group A and 11 (22%) in Group B suffered from serious forms of tuberculosis including tubercular meningitis, miliary tuberculosis and disseminated tuberculosis. The difference was not statistically different (p>0.05). However, in severe form of tuberculosis, the morbidity in vaccinated group was less. Sixty six per cent of vaccinated children with disseminated forms of tuberculosis had features of severe protein energy malnutrition. BCG is not effective in preventing tubercular infection in children of preschool age. It is effective to a certain extent in localizing the infection to a particular organ. Severe protein energy malnutrition is a contributing factor in the genesis of tuberculosis in preschool children vaccinated with BCG at or immediately after birth.