Browsing by Author "O’Connell, N."
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- ItemBurden, spectrum and outcomes of children with tuberculosis diagnosed at a district-level hospital in South Africa(International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2018) Du Preez, K.; Du Plessis, L.; O’Connell, N.; Hesseling, A. C.SETTING: The Khayelitsha subdistrict has the highest burden of reported tuberculosis (TB) cases in Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa. OBJECTIVES: To characterise the TB burden, spectrum and treatment outcomes among children managed at a district-level hospital, the Khayelitsha District Hospital. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review of all children (age <13 years) diagnosed with TB in January–July 2014. A lay health care worker completed daily surveillance and supported linkage to TB care. Symptoms and investigations at presentation, TB disease spectrum, referral pathways and outcomes were reported. RESULTS: Most children were aged ≤2 years (84/99, 85%), 18/96 (19%) were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, 31/91 (34%) were malnourished and 80/99 (81%) had pulmonary TB only. The majority of the children (63/80, 79%) presented with cough of acute onset (<2 weeks). Only 5/36 (14%) eligible child contacts had documentation of receiving isoniazid preventive therapy. Twelve (13%) children had bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB. Overall, 93/97 (96%) children successfully continued TB care after hospital discharge. Favourable TB treatment outcomes were recorded in only 77 (78%) children. CONCLUSIONS: Children with TB managed at this district-level hospital were young, and frequently had acute symptoms and substantial comorbidities. Missed opportunities for TB prevention were identified. Linkage to care support resulted in excellent continuation of TB care; however, treatment outcomes could be further improved.