4.3 Article

Clinical standards for drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents

Journal

Publisher

INT UNION AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS LUNG DISEASE (I U A T L D)
DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.23.0085

Keywords

diagnosis; treatment; meningeal tuberculosis; miliary tuberculosis; tuberculosis infection; HIV

Ask authors/readers for more resources

This study aims to provide clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents. Through a consensus process involving global experts, eight standards were identified, including considerations for different age and developmental stages, prompt evaluation and treatment initiation based on symptoms and signs, appropriate weight-based regimen, TB infection prevention, home-based/community-based treatment support, age-appropriate support for engagement in care, and case reporting and contact tracing. These standards, adapted to local contexts, will improve the care of children and adolescents affected by TB.
BACKGROUND: These clinical standards aim to provide guidance for diagnosis, treatment, and management of drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents.METHODS: Fifty-two global experts in paediatric TB participated in a Delphi consensus process. After eight rounds of revisions, 51/52 (98%) participants endorsed the final document.RESULTS: Eight standards were identified: Standard 1, Age and developmental stage are critical considerations in the assessment and management of TB; Standard 2, Children and adolescents with symptoms and signs of TB disease should undergo prompt evaluation, and diagnosis and treatment initiation should not depend on microbiological confirmation; Standard 3, Treatment initiation is particularly urgent in children and adolescents with presumptive TB meningitis and disseminated (miliary) TB; Standard 4, Children and adolescents should be treated with an appropriate weight-based regimen; Standard 5, Treating TB infection (TBI) is important to prevent disease; Standard 6, Children and adolescents should receive home-based/community-based treatment support whenever possible; Standard 7, Chil-dren, adolescents, and their families should be provided age-appropriate support to optimise engagement in care and clinical outcomes; and Standard 8, Case reporting and contact tracing should be conducted for each child and adolescent. CONCLUSION: These consensus-based clinical standards, which should be adapted to local contexts, will improve the care of children and adolescents affected by TB.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.3
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available