Pattern and Treatment Outcomes of Childhood Tuberculosis in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital – A 5-year Review

• ¹, Rivers State University,

Background: Tuberculosis (TB), although preventable and curable, remains a significant infectious cause of illness and death among children in Sub-Saharan Africa. The patterns and treatment outcomes vary based on the availability of effective screening and diagnostic methods, which should be documented if not previously reported.

Aim: To describe the pattern and treatment outcomes of tuberculosis among children (below 16 years) in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Method: This retrospective review was conducted from January 2018 to January 2023 using records of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Centre and all TB-related paediatric in-patient admissions. Appropriate data were retrieved and analysed.

Results: Of the 325 children seen, 170 (52.3%) were females with M: F = 1:1.1 and mean age: 6.4 ± 5.7 years. About half, 162 (49.8%) were under five years. All were new TB cases. Bacteriological diagnosis was confirmed in 177 (54.5%) using GeneXpert. A total of 311cases (95.7%) had pulmonary TB, and 10 (3.07%) had TB meningitis. TB/HIV co-infection rate was 16.9%; The treatment success rate was 81.6% with children under five having higher treatment success rates (93.2% Vs 68.5%; p= 0.0001). Overall, 193(63.3%) completed treatment, 53(17.3%) were cured and 8(2.6%) died. The predictors for successful treatment were young age [AOR= 0.086, CI: 0.038 – 0.198] and bacteriological diagnosis [AOR= 0. 307, CI: 0. 178 – 0.641]. 

Conclusion: Pulmonary TB was the predominant type seen and treatment outcomes were largely successful. Early screening and prompt treatment are vital in achieving successful treatment outcomes for Paediatric tuberculosis.