Paediatric Tuberculosis at the Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course Clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious disease killer worldwide, despite significant progress against the disease in recent years. Most cases of TB in children occur in the TB endemic countries but the actual burden of paediatric TB is unknown. With early diagnosis and treatment using the first-line anti-tuberculous drugs, most people who develop the disease can be cured and onward transmission of infection curtailed.

Objective: To determine the pattern and outcome of paediatric tuberculosis managed at a tertiary facility in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Records of children managed for TB at the Directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) clinic over a three-and-a-half-year period were reviewed retrospectively. All children (≤ 15 years) treated for TB over the study period was included. Relevant information was retrieved from the register and analysed accordingly.

Results: 74 children were treated with 33(44.6%) being males, giving a M: F ratio of 1:1.2. Mean (±SD) age was 85.78 (±55.40) months and 34 (45.9%) belonged to the 0.0-5.0-year age group. Seventy-one (95.9%) were new cases and three (4.1%) were relapse. Pulmonary TB (PTB) was seen in 50 (67.6%), more females had PTB than males, which was not significant (χ2=0.4, p=0.52).

Acid fast bacilli (AFB) were positive in only 8 (10.8%) while GeneXpert MTB/RIF sensitivity was detected in 7 (9.2%). Majority 36 (48.6%) were lost to follow up, 30 (40.5%) completed treatment, only 4(5.4%) were cured with no recorded mortality. Successful treatment outcome was low (45.9%).

Conclusion: Treatment outcome using DOTS strategy was poor, far below the WHO benchmark. There is need to improve adherence to DOTs therapy to prevent development of multi drug resistant TB.