CRP15 A CASE SERIES OF DRUG-RESISTANT TB IN CHILDREN IN A TERTIARY PAEDIATRIC HOSPITAL

Ching Hai Lee, Asiah Kassim, Shangari Kunaseelan, N. Fafwati Faridatul Akmar Mohammad
Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur

Introduction
The spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major public health issue worldwide, including Malaysia.

Objective
This study aimed to describe children with Drug-Resistant TB in Children in a Tertiary Paediatric Hospital. 

Methodology
A retrospective study of all the cases of Drug-Resistant TB in Children between 2023 and 2024 in Hospital Tunku Azizah.

Results
A total of 6 cases were reported from 2023 to 2024.  The majority were females (4), and their mean age is 5.4 +3.7 years. All cases had BCG vaccination, and their Mantoux tests were positive except for one case. Four cases were Rifampicin-Resistant(RR), and 2 were Isoniazid(INH)-Resistant.  All 4 of them had contact with the same source, RRTB, i.e. their uncle, since 2021. In the remaining 2 cases, the source case was father(1) and mother(1). All of them had a cough from 2 days to 2 months. One common finding for all 6 cases was their weight below the 5th percentile. Two cases had lung crepitations. All CXRs showed abnormality.  Bacteriological tests for TB were negative except for a case with MTB complex resistance to Streptomycin and Isoniazid. Their treatment regimen depends on their age and their DRTB contact’s treatment. All 6 cases completed treatment and showed improvement clinically and radiologically. 

Conclusion
Surveillance of children in contact with TB, especially DRTB among adults, is crucial to control TB in Malaysia.