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Anthropometric growth trajectories of children presenting with presumptive pulmonary TB

M V de Geus1,2, M van Niekerk1, C McKenzie1

  • 1Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.

IJTLD Open
|March 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Children with tuberculosis (TB) showed lower height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) and experienced underweight more frequently. Improving overall childhood nutrition is crucial for better long-term health outcomes in TB patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Nutritional science
  • Growth monitoring

Background:

  • Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) significantly impacts child development.
  • Assessing growth trajectories is vital for understanding the long-term effects of childhood TB.
  • Early identification and intervention are key to mitigating disease impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the growth patterns of children with presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).
  • To compare anthropometric measurements and Z-scores between children with TB, symptomatic controls, and healthy controls.
  • To identify nutritional deficits and growth faltering associated with PTB in children.

Main Methods:

  • A sub-study of the Umoya TB diagnostic study in South Africa (2017-2021).
  • Recruitment and 12-month follow-up of children aged 0-13 years with presumptive PTB.
  • Regular anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI) and Z-score calculations (WAZ, HAZ, BAZ) analyzed using multivariable mixed-effect linear regression.

Main Results:

  • Out of 372 children, 153 had TB, 168 were symptomatic, and 51 were healthy controls.
  • Children with TB had significantly lower height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) compared to controls (P=0.0037).
  • While weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ) improved over time in TB patients, HAZ showed no significant change, indicating persistent linear growth deficits.

Conclusions:

  • Children with TB exhibit significant linear growth deficits (lower HAZ) despite potential weight improvements.
  • Underweight prevalence is higher in children with TB compared to symptomatic and healthy controls.
  • Improving the nutritional status of children is essential for better long-term outcomes in TB and other childhood illnesses.
Abstract

Keywords:
South Africagrowthpaediatricpost-tuberculosistuberculosis

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