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Older and newer challenges of tuberculosis in children
A J Nahmias1, A de Sousa, R Freiji
1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA.
Insights
Tuberculosis (TB) in children, termed "adultosis," is a disease inflicted by adults. Socioeconomic failures fuel TB and HIV, leading to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) in children is characterized as "adultosis," a disease transmitted from adults to children.
- Socioeconomic and political factors contribute to the persistence of TB and HIV globally.
- These failures also drive the emergence of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the challenges of TB in children.
- To highlight the emergence of MDR-TB in pediatric populations.
- To briefly explore potential resolutions for these challenges.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on pediatric TB.
- Analysis of the impact of socioeconomic and political factors on TB and HIV control.
- Discussion of MDR-TB emergence and its implications for children.
Main Results:
- Pediatric TB is primarily an adult-to-child transmission issue.
- Global health disparities and failures facilitate uncontrolled TB and HIV.
- MDR-TB poses a significant and growing threat to children.
Conclusions:
- Addressing the root causes of "adultosis" is crucial for pediatric TB control.
- Improved socioeconomic and political strategies are needed to combat TB and HIV.
- Developing targeted approaches for MDR-TB in children is essential.
Abstract:
Tuberculosis (TB) in children represents one of the best examples of what we have termed an "adultosis"--a disease inflicted by adults on children and not by children on adults--and which can be acquired by direct contact or by the indirect result of various types of abuses, such as social ones. The same socioeconomic and political failures that have allowed TB and HIV to remain uncontrolled in many countries have also contributed to the emergence of multiple-drug resistant (MDR) M. tuberculosis. These older and newer challenges of TB in children and some approaches to their resolution are briefly discussed here.