A Population-Based Study of Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents in Ontario

• DOI: 10.1097/inf.0b013e3181920d4d
• Publication Date: 2009-05-21T14:30:07Z
• Authors: Wanatpreeya Phong...; Ian Kitai; Michael Gardam; Jun Wang; Kamran Khan
• Keywords: Contact tracing; Directly Observed Therapy; Extrapulmonary tuberculosis

There are few population-based data on presentation and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in children adolescents Ontario.We analyzed from 121 patients less than 17 years age with TB disease reported to the Province Ontario between 1999 2002. Physician provider were obtained College Physicians Surgeons Ontario.Of patients, 84 (69.4%) foreign born. The median time residence Canada before diagnosis was 2.7 (range, 7 days-16 years). Diagnosis made by symptoms 78 (64.5%), contact investigation 25 (20.7%), immigration screening 5 (4.1%) patients. Pulmonary occurred 94 (77.7%) When cases detected tracing excluded, isolated extrapulmonary present 4 (23.5%), 6 (35.0%), 19 (37.0%) young (0-4 years), older (5-12 (13-17 respectively. Eleven (9.1%) had drug-resistant strains. Eighty (66.1%) received directly observed therapy (DOT). Prescribed completed 105 (86.8%) a trend toward higher completion rates those receiving DOT (P = 0.07). Of 57 physician providers, 50 (87.7%) treated 1 pediatric patient/year during study period.Extrapulmonary accounted for high proportion who presented symptoms. One-third did not receive most cared physicians limited experience managing TB. Further studies needed determine whether these factors influence outcome