Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis
09:34

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis

Published on: August 16, 2021

Intermittent short course therapy for pediatric tuberculosis

C K Indumathi1, K Kumar Prasanna, Chitra Dinakar

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, St Johns Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India. ckindumathi@gmail.com

Indian Pediatrics
|December 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Intermittent short course therapy effectively treated pediatric tuberculosis (TB) in 95% of children. This approach, coordinated with the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), showed high success rates for both pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Public health interventions
  • Tuberculosis research

Background:

  • Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) requires effective treatment strategies.
  • The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) offers standardized protocols.
  • Adapting RNTCP for children is crucial for successful outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of intermittent short course therapy for all forms of pediatric TB.
  • To assess the coordinated implementation of RNTCP protocols in childhood TB management.
  • To determine the overall response rate and identify any treatment challenges.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty-five children with various forms of TB were treated.
  • RNTCP protocols were utilized with modifications (dose adjustments, extended treatment).
  • A coordinated approach involving pediatricians and Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) personnel was employed.

Main Results:

  • An overall response rate of 95% was achieved.
  • Response rates were high for both pulmonary TB (94%) and extrapulmonary TB (97%).
  • One case of possible relapse was noted, with successful implementation of RNTCP protocols.

Conclusions:

  • Intermittent short course therapy, adapted from RNTCP, is highly effective in treating pediatric TB.
  • Coordinated care between healthcare providers and DOTS centers facilitates successful RNTCP implementation.
  • The modified RNTCP approach demonstrates a promising strategy for managing childhood tuberculosis.

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories: