Introduction

Neonates born to a mother with TB should be managed in close consultation with specialists who have appropriate training and experience.

All neonates born to a mother with TB should be evaluated for congenital TB; management of congenital TB is not covered in these guidelines—seek expert advice.

A mother with pulmonary TB during pregnancy is most likely to transmit TB to the neonate after birth, rather than during delivery. If congenital TB has been excluded at birth, subsequent management of the neonate to reduce the risk of acquiring TB depends on whether the mother (or other primary caregiver) is considered infectious at the time of delivery—see:

• Neonate born to a mother with pulmonary TB during pregnancy who is not infectious at delivery
• Neonate born to a mother with pulmonary TB during pregnancy who is infectious at delivery.

The management of neonates born to a mother with multidrug-resistant pulmonary TB is not covered in these guidelines—seek expert advice.

Other close contacts with pulmonary TB should also be assessed for the risk of transmission to the neonate. If they are infectious, precautions against airborne transmission should be instituted (eg wearing a surgical mask). For further information, see Infection control for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Most forms of extrapulmonary TB do not pose a transmission risk for the neonate. However, congenital TB can occur if the mother has disseminated or miliary TB, TB meningitis, primary pleural TB, or genital tract TB—see Neonate born to a mother with extrapulmonary TB.