A study was conducted in a slum area of Bangalore, to get information on the prevalence of all forms of tuberculosis in 0-4 year age group, respiratory tuberculosis in 5-14 year age group and the proportion of respiratory tuberculosis among total respiratory diseases in 0-14 year age group. Entire population in a slum area was investigated. Children aged 0-9 years were given tuberculin test and their nutritional status assessed. All persons were X-rayed. Sputum specimens were collected from those having radiological abnormality in chest, chest symptoms of one week or more in 0-4 years, in addition from those with any kind of sickness, malnutrition and tuberculin reactors.

In 0-9 year age group, 5.5% were tuberculin positive (without BCG lesions), in 0-4 years, 1.8% and 5-9 years, 11.3%. Among the X-rayed children, 47.4% had some kind of sickness, the proportion being significantly high in 0-4 year age group. The respiratory sickness is the commonest among children of all ages followed by malnutrition (21%). Among children with chest symptoms, upper respiratory infections were 33%. Chest X-ray abnormalities were present in 4.5% of children and of these 82.5% had non-specific pneumonitis. Of 71 persons with respiratory disease, about 7% were tuberculous. Out of 1408 children, only 5 had active primary tuberculosis, giving a prevalence of 0.35%. None in 0-4 year age had sputum positive disease or extra pulmonary tuberculosis.

It has been highlighted that non-tuberculous chest diseases are common in pediatric age group and many of these may be wrongly classified as active tuberculous in practice. It is concluded that tuberculosis in the pediatric age group in this community is not a serious public health problem.