[Toxicity in the current treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in children]

Possible toxic side-effects of antituberculous chemotherapy are studied in 718 children affected with pulmonary tuberculosis. 26 (3.62%) presented adverse side-effects and one drug had to be changed in 8 (1.11%). Treatment had to be stopped in one (0.13%) due to toxicity. Liver toxicity was specially studied, showing that younger age is a risk factor (p less than 1 X 10(-10). In 44 cases (16.54%) transient increases of no more than triple of maximum normal value, were found in SGOT and/or SGPT. Toxicity observed in controlled clinical studies and guides for treatment are exposed.