Updated diagnosis and treatment of childhood tuberculosis

Shou-Chien Chen, Kwo-Liang Chen, Kou-Huang Chen, Shun-Tien Chien, Kow-Tong Chen

Taiwan, China

Author Affiliations: Department of Family Medicine, Da-Chien General Hospital, Taiwan, China (Chen SC); General Education Center, Ta Tung University, Taiwan, China (Chen SC); Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, China University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, China (Chen KL, Chen KH); Chest Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taiwan, China (Chien ST); Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, China (Chen KT)

Corresponding Author: Kow-Tong Chen, Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Taiwan, China (Tel: 886-6-2353535 ext 5563; Fax: 886-6-2359033; Email: ktchen@mail.ncku.edu.tw)

doi: 10.1007/s12519-013-0404-6

Background: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) accounts for a significant proportion of the global tuberculosis disease burden. However, current and previous efforts to develop better diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive interventions have focused on TB in adults, and childhood TB has been relatively neglected. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for childhood TB with an emphasis on intrathoracic disease.

Data sources: The literature from a range of sources was reviewed and synthesized to provide an overview of the contemporary approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood TB.

Results: This review summarizes the clinical, radiological, bacteriological, and immunological approaches to diagnose TB infection and disease in children. In addition, we summarize the updated guidelines for the treatment of TB in children.

Conclusions: The development of better diagnostic and therapeutic methods for childhood TB remains a significant challenge. As the strategies for diagnosis and treatment of childhood TB continue to improve and the knowledge base increases, the implementation of these strategies will be crucial.

Key words: childhood; diagnosis; treatment; tuberculosis

World J Pediatr 2013;9(1):9-16