Tuberculous meningitis in early infancy.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a common and serious complication of primary tubercular complex in preschool children in our country. Following exposure to tubercle bacilli, it takes about 6-8 weeks for a primary complex to develop(l). Six to twelve months after the primary infection, tuberculous meningitis, secondary to hematogenous spread, may occur. The commonest age group for tuberculous meingitis is 9 months to 3 year(2). BCG vaccination prevents hematogenous dissemination and development of TBM to the extent of 60-80%. Immunity following vaccination takes about 8 to 10 weeks to develop during which interval exposure to tubercle bacilli can cause disseminated infection(3). TBM has been reported to occur in a 4-month-old infant(4). We report a case of TBM which occured in a BCG vaccinated infant at an early age.