GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE 

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3422
ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 23, 2014 

QUESTION
Measures to Curb Paediatric Tuberculosis (TB)

3422. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR: 

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state; 

(a)   the steps to address India's vulnerability to paediatric TB; 

(b)   the details of the number of cases of TB among children over the last threeyears; 

(c)    whether research suggests that TB is exacerbated by malnutrition; and 

(d)   the steps taken by Government to address the growing incidence of paediatric TB, including the specific modules by which nutrition concerns of children areaddressed? 

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a): The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), beingimplemented across the country, provides free diagnostic and treatmentservices for tuberculosis, including paediatric tuberculosis. Under the programme, diagnosis of T.B. among children is currently based on clinicalfeatures, smear examination of sputum where this is available, positive familyhistory, tuberculin skin testing, chest radiography and histopathologicalexamination, as appropriate. In addition, cartridge based nucleic acid amplificationtest (CBNAAT) technology is also recommended for use in diagnosis ofpaediatric TB under the programme. Paediatric dosages of anti-tuberculosisdrugs based on body weight, are being used under RNTCP. 

(b): The details of Number of Paediatric TB cases registered for treatment(out of all new cases)under RNTCP over the last three years is: 

 (c): Under-nutrition reduces immunity which makes a person vulnerable todiseases, including tuberculosis. 

(d): The programme figures do not suggest that the incidence of paediatric TB is increasing. 

The RNTCP, in consultation with Indian Academy of Paediatrics, hasrecommended revised guidelines for diagnosis and treatment for childhoodtuberculosis.