Directly observed therapy for tuberculosis in children.

DOT is an important part of the treatment strategies for tuberculosis in children. It is highly effective, relatively inexpensive, and is the only way to ensure that the child is adequately treated. Although the public health ramifications of inadequate treatment of tuberculosis in children are not as severe as those for inadequate treatment in adults, the personal health consequences of nonadherence in children can be disastrous. In countries with adequate resources, DOT should be considered the standard of care for children with tuberculosis disease. The goal for the world should be to treat every child with tuberculosis with DOT.