Addressing the Alarming Rise in Paediatric Tuberculosis in India

Current Affairs National

Posted by newadmin on 2025-04-15 08:42:52 |

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India is witnessing a worrying surge in paediatric tuberculosis (TB), with a 38% rise in cases among children aged 0–14 years from 2020 to 2024. The number of notified cases grew from 102,090 in 2020 to 141,182 in 2024, making this a growing public health concern. Factors such as widespread malnutrition, exposure to infected adults, and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are contributing to this increase.

Diagnosing TB in children is particularly challenging due to their non-specific symptoms and the prevalence of extrapulmonary TB, which often affects lymph nodes and other organs rather than the lungs. Moreover, children are unable to produce sputum samples easily, complicating laboratory diagnosis.

Of particular concern is the rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extremely drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) among children. These forms require longer, more complex, and costlier treatments. While the Government of India has taken steps such as expanding BCG vaccination, providing rapid molecular diagnostic tools, and distributing child-friendly drug formulations, the gap between policy and implementation persists.

Healthcare providers, especially in the private sector, often lack adequate training and access to proper diagnostic tools. Bridging these gaps and improving frontline capacity are crucial if India hopes to meet its target of eliminating TB by 2025. A focused strategy for paediatric TB is vital to protecting the country's future generations.

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