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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Not Gaining Weight, Primary Complex Suspected. Test Negative, PPD Test Done, Redness Of Skin Measured 15mm. Primary Complex?

Hi

My child is being suspected with primary complex because she has not been gaining weight since December last year or January of this year. She's been at 9 kgs since and this month has gained just .2kg (she's now 9.2 kg).

Her doctor thinks it's primary complex and she was requested for an x-ray. The results turned out negative. She's been tested next thru PPD. After 48 hours, we went back and the redness of her skin measured to 15mm. Is that a real "positive" result? I read in one article that it can be "false-positive" because of the BCG vaccine. She does not have coughs or colds. She's 13 months now and she's only had colds twice only (since birth). Could it really be primary complex? She does not have any symptoms except that she's not gaining weight. Wanted to be sure before we start with medicines because I don't want to subject her with medicines if its not really necessary. Thank you so much and appreciate your help.
Fri, 24 May 2013
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Pediatrician 's  Response
Hi,

PPD test of 15mm is strongly positive and suggestive of recent TB infection.
Even if your child is not having symptoms of cough or cold ,since her weight gain has not been good it positively means that she has few bacterial load of infection and is in early stage of infection.

If treated now she will not have serious infection of the same .Hence I would suggest that you should start the medication and complete the course of 6mths without any doubts on the prescription even if your child seems alright to you.

Bye
Take Care.
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Not Gaining Weight, Primary Complex Suspected. Test Negative, PPD Test Done, Redness Of Skin Measured 15mm. Primary Complex?

Hi, PPD test of 15mm is strongly positive and suggestive of recent TB infection. Even if your child is not having symptoms of cough or cold ,since her weight gain has not been good it positively means that she has few bacterial load of infection and is in early stage of infection. If treated now she will not have serious infection of the same .Hence I would suggest that you should start the medication and complete the course of 6mths without any doubts on the prescription even if your child seems alright to you. Bye Take Care.