Increasing rate of childhood tuberculosis in a region of east Croatia.

Background: The incidence of childhood tuberculosis as well as the number of children being in contact with persons having tuberculosis has increased in the region of Slavonski Brod during the past decade (1993-2003). The region is located in east Croatia along the border with Bosnia and close to the besieged and destroyed town of Vukovar. The region was heavily involved in recent military activities and migrations in Croatia and Bosnia (1991-1995).