Tuberculosis cavitaria en ni？os menores de 5 a？os

the annual rates of tuberculosis in argentina have declined over the past decade, despite this there is an important number of children under 5 years of age who develop this disease. the outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis in small children may result in the development of cavities, but as this presentation is not a common diagnosis the treatment is delayed. we present 5 cases of primary progressive cavitary tuberculosis in children under five years of age registered at hospital de ni？os elizalde, pulmonology division, from 1999 to 2005. cavitary pulmonary lesions may suggest other entities, but epidemiological, clinical and bacteriological findings are key to diagnosis. history of contact with adults or adolescents with known or suspected tuberculosis increases the likehood that the child might have this disease; all the patients included were exposed to a smear-positive source case.