What We’re Reading: Tuberculosis, HIV, and Children
Posted by
Jane Coaston
Washington, DC
March 30, 2012
This past Saturday, we observed World TB Day, which promotes awareness for a disease that still kills millions, and leaves many more permanently disabled.
In sub-Saharan Africa, tuberculosis is also often linked with HIV, and is a special concern for women and children. TB infection increases the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and is particularly dangerous to children already living with HIV.
Over the past week, we gathered the following news items and blogs highlighting the relationship between TB and HIV, and what people are doing to better prevent, diagnose, and treat TB in children.
IRIN PlusNews: Childhood tuberculosis a “hidden epidemic”:Children are often neglected when it comes to diagnosing TB, even though each year at least 500,000 babies and children become infected with TB worldwide, and an estimated 70,000 die of it, according to the WHO. This article explores the diagnostic challenges for children with TB in Kenya.
IRIN PlusNews: South Africa: Children with TB below the health radar: The TB infection rate in South Africa is the second-highest in the world, and pediatric TB is a growing problem. This article quotes Dr. Anneke Hesseling of the Desmond Tutu TB Centre at Stellenbosch University – who is also a Foundation International Leadership Awardee – about current research into pediatric TB, and the challenges facing clinicians hoping to develop new treatments for use in children.