Study suggests number of children with TB is higher than predicted

Researchers have estimated that the number of children who develop tuberculosis (TB) each year is nearly 25% higher than current predictions.

The study, published in the journal Lancet Global Health, used data from adults with TB in 22 countries with high levels of the disease to try to work out the number of children affected.

The researchers estimated that over 650,000 children worldwide develop TB each year, while 15 million live with an adult with infectious TB.

In addition, they noted that almost 53 million children have inactive forms of the disease, which can become infectious at any time.

The difference in figures could be down to gaps in monitoring at a national level. The researchers are now calling for global healthcare systems to prioritise children in their efforts to control TB.

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