Tuberculosis in children of HIV-infected parents

Abstract

Context: Tuberculosis (TB) in children of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected parents is of concern.Aims: To study the proportion of children of HIV-infected parents who suffered from TB and to study some of the associated risk factors.Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study design.Materials and Methods: Ethical approval and informed consent were taken. A total of 385 children of HIV-infected parents were studied for TB.Statistical Analysis Used: Proportion, Chi-square test.Results: In the study, it was found that there were 191 (49.6%) HIV-positive children, 136 (35.6%) HIV negative children and in 58 (14.8%) children, the HIV status was unknown. 53 (13.8%) out of 385 children had suffered from TB. Among these 50 children were HIV positive and three children were HIV negative.Conclusions: The only significant risk factor for TB in children of HIV-infected parents was HIV infection in children. Therefore, it is recommended that the HIV positive parents should be counseled to get their children tested at an integrated counseling and testing center because it was found that 15% of children had unknown HIV status. Once it is known that the child has HIV infection, effective measures should be taken to prevent TB since they are significantly at an increased risk of TB.

Keywords

• Children
• human immunodeficiency virus
• prevention
• tuberculosis