INH preventive pherapy (IPT) for HIV-infected South African children

Abstract

HIV-infected children have a high risk of acquiring tuberculosis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has released isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) recommendations for adults and children living with HIV, based on efficacy studies, mainly in adults. Data from children appear conflicting. IPT guidelines for children were developed in response to WHO guidelines at a local meeting, followed by discussions.

IPT should be given to all HIV-infected children after exposure to a source case if treatment for active disease is not required. For children whose mothers’ HIV status was known antentally, when tuberculosis has been actively excluded in mothers and at infant follow-up, and when infants have commenced antiretroviral therapy in the first 3 months of life, IPT is not required. Otherwise, all infants and children should be given IPT for 6 months once active tuberculosis has been excluded.