By Mumbai: A Kandivli couple’s joy after having IVF twins quickly turned to worry when both one-month-old boys were diagnosed with drug-resistant tuberculosis during Diwali. The twins, admitted to JJ Hospital’s NICU since October 29, are believed to be among the youngest such cases in the state—highlighting a troubling rise in drug-resistant TB in infants.
Dr Tanu Singhal, who first suspected TB when one baby was brought in with pneumonia, said, “Both are the youngest drug-resistant TB cases I have seen.” The children were then referred to Dr Sushant Mane of JJ Hospital’s National Centre of Excellence for Tuberculosis. Tests later confirmed TB meningitis in both infants, and they were started on treatment; one required ventilator support.
Doctors believe the infection was passed on from the mother, who had a history of abdominal TB before IVF but had tested clear later. According to experts, improved diagnostics are revealing more TB cases in infants. India sees 10 million new TB cases globally each year, with about 10% in children under 15.
The twins, born at 2 kg and 1.7 kg, now weigh 3.6 kg and 3 kg and may be discharged soon, though they will need anti-TB medication for up to two years. Mumbai reports over 60,000 TB cases annually, including around 5,000 drug-resistant cases.
