Surge in Paediatric Tuberculosis Cases in India

April 14, 2025

The rise in notified paediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases in India has become public health concern. Recent data indicates a 38 per cent increase in cases among children aged up to 14 years from 2020 to 2024. This surge is attributed to various factors, including malnutrition and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Overview of Paediatric Tuberculosis

Paediatric TB refers to tuberculosis diagnosed in children aged 14 years or younger. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children represent a substantial portion of the overall TB burden in India. The incidence has risen sharply, with cases increasing from 102,090 in 2020 to 141,182 in 2024.

Factors Contributing to Increased Cases

Several factors contribute to the rising incidence of paediatric TB. Malnutrition is a key issue, weakening children’s immune systems. The transmission of TB from adult family members also plays role. Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic has had indirect effects, with treatments during the pandemic potentially reactivating latent TB infections.

Diagnostic Challenges

Diagnosing paediatric TB presents unique challenges. Children often exhibit non-specific symptoms, making it difficult to identify the disease. Extrapulmonary TB is more common in children, affecting lymph nodes and other organs rather than the lungs. This complicates the diagnosis further, as children cannot easily provide sputum samples.

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

The rise of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extremely drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) among children is alarming. These forms of TB occur when the bacteria develop resistance to standard treatments. Diagnosing and treating MDR-TB and XDR-TB in children is complex and requires longer treatment periods with more expensive medications.

Government Initiatives and Strategies

The Government of India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of 2030. To combat paediatric TB, the government has expanded BCG vaccination at birth and improved access to rapid molecular diagnostics. Child-friendly treatment formulations are also being provided, especially for drug-resistant cases.

Implementation Gaps

Despite the existence of separate guidelines for paediatric TB, implementation gaps remain. Healthcare professionals often lack training in diagnosing and treating paediatric TB. Many private practitioners face barriers in accessing diagnostic facilities, leading to delays in treatment.

« Previous Post Next Post »