OPP8 SILENT THREAT: A FIVE YEARS REVIEW OF TUBERCULOSIS EPIDERMIOLOGY AMONG CHILDREN UNDER SIX-YEAR-OLD IN TERENGGANU

Jian An Boo¹, Yee Chin Tee, Noor Ain Noor Affendi¹

¹Department of Paediatric Respiratory, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Introduction
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health issue, especially among children and vulnerable groups. Despite improved awareness and diagnostics, TB continues to pose risks in high-burden areas.

Objective
To review the demographics, treatment outcomes, and complications of paediatric TB patients under six-year-old in Terengganu.

Methodology
This five-year retrospective study (2020–2024) included children under six-year-old who received anti-TB treatment in Terengganu. Data on demographics, treatment outcomes, and complications were analyzed using SPSS.

Results
Of 204 paediatric TB cases, 125 involved children under six-year-old. The median age was 2.5-year-old; 54% were female. Most were of Malay ethnicity, with two Rohingya patients.

Pulmonary TB was the most common (93.6%), with only 8 extrapulmonary cases. Among pulmonary TB cases, 54.7% were Mantoux positive, while only 2 were smear positive. Around 75.2% patients were diagnosed based on active case findings (contact tracing) while 24.8% were based on passive case findings (purely symptomatic or x-ray findings without contact).

Most children completed treatment successfully. Six did not: three due to parental refusal and subsequently defaulted treatment and one due to medication intolerance and two pass away during treatment.

All who completed treatment did not showed significant complications and remained symptom free without develop active TB subsequently.

Conclusion
Paediatric TB management is challenging, particularly in early detection and ensuring treatment adherence. Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT) is vital in reducing transmission among young children. Strengthening community education and support systems is essential to improve outcomes and enhance TB control in this vulnerable population.