
Tuberculosis prevention in children
Pediatric TB testing recommendations
TB blood testing is preferred by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in children ages 2 years and older, especially those with BCG vaccine (3). TB blood tests (IGRAs) are also preferred over TB skin tests (TSTs) in children that are unlikely to return for a skin test reading and are acceptable in children under age 2.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends testing for TB with IGRAs for most individuals aged 5 years or older, and strongly recommends IGRAs for patients who are BCG-vaccinated or unlikely to return for a TST reading (4).
References:
- WHO. (2021) WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis. Module 5: Management of tuberculosis in children and adolescents.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. TB in Children in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/populations/tbinchildren (accessed March 31, 2022)
- Nolt D, Starke JR; AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. (2021) Tuberculosis Infection in Children and Adolescents: Testing and Treatment. Pediatrics, 148(6).
- Lewinsohn, D. (2016) Official ATS/IDSA/CDC Clinical Practice Guidelines: Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in adults and children. Clin. Infect. Dis. 64, 111–115
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