Prevalence Of Rifampicin Resistance in New Cases Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Children

Abstract

Objective: The research aims to determine the prevalence of rifampicin resistance in newly diagnosed pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis cases, investigating the frequency of resistance to this first-line antibiotic. By doing so, it seeks to provide insights into rifampicin's effectiveness as a treatment and contribute to understanding drug-resistant tuberculosis in children.

Methods: The investigation employed a cross-sectional design to evaluate the presence of rifampicin resistance in newly diagnosed pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis cases. Executed in Lahore, Pakistan, it adopted a convenience sampling strategy with a sample size of 100. The research entailed screening children displaying symptoms of TB, acquiring written consent, and gathering demographic and clinical data, encompassing bacterial load and evidence of antibiotics. Sputum samples were processed employing the Xpert MTB/RIF assay. Statistical analyses, encompassing descriptive statistics and prevalence calculations, were executed utilizing the SPSS software. The investigation underscored the significance of resilient diagnostics, early identification, and tailored interventions for the management of drug-resistant TB in children.

Results: The study provides valuable insights into rifampicin resistance among children with pulmonary tuberculosis. These findings highlight the importance of regular monitoring and appropriate treatment strategies to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis in pediatric populations. Further research and interventions are warranted to minimize the emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains in this vulnerable population.

Conclusion: The study highlights the need for continuous monitoring of drug resistance patterns in children with tuberculosis, particularly concerning rifampicin, a crucial first-line antibiotic. The higher resistance rate suggests exploring alternative treatment options, optimising drug regimens, and developing interventions to prevent and manage drug-resistant tuberculosis effectively in children.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Disease, Paeds, Resistance, Susceptibility, Tuberculosis.