A new systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, provides the largest dataset to date on children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant (MDR) and rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis globally. Analyzing data from over 23,000 individuals across 42 studies, the research sheds light on critical factors influencing treatment outcomes in this vulnerable population.
The study found that while treatment success rates in children and adolescents (72%) are higher than in adults, they still fall short of the WHO’s target of 90%. Notably, the use of two or three WHO Group A drugs (bedaquiline, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, linezolid) was significantly associated with improved treatment outcomes. However, younger children and those with clinically diagnosed TB remain underrepresented, highlighting the urgent need for better case-finding and access to effective therapies.
These findings emphasize the importance of age-specific research in TB management and the need for rapid, equitable access to the most effective drugs to improve outcomes for all young patients affected by drug-resistant TB.
