Preventing tuberculosis in childhood.

Almost half of the cases of tuberculosis requiring treatment may arise in children. The strategies to control tuberculosis in developing countries remain firmly focussed upon adults who are smear positive. The prevention of tuberculosis in childhood has two aspects: prevention of infection and management of infection once it has occurred. The steps for prevention of infection include early diagnosis of adults with tuberculosis who are culture positive but not yet smear positive. Use of ultraviolet lighting or at least large windows and ventilation in the area where patients are kept may reduce the infection rate. An appropriate regimen and supervised chemoprophylaxis to ensure good compliance may be an important step towards control of tuberculosis infection.