Effectiveness and safety of the available preventive tuberculosis treatment regimens for children and adolescents: systematic review and network meta-analysis - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Efficacy and Safety of Current Preventive Treatment Options for Tuberculosis in Pediatric Populations: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

  • By

  • Vanessa Sabella-Jiménez

  • Dione Benjumea-Bedoya

  • Yenifer Hoyos-Mendez

  • Andrés Felipe Estupiñán-Bohorquez

  • Jorge Acosta-Reyes

  • Ivan D Florez

  • September 30, 2026

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  • 1

    The systematic review included 11 studies focusing on tuberculosis preventive treatment in children and adolescents under 18 years.

  • 2

    Short-course regimens like isoniazid plus rifapentine for 3 months (3HP) and rifampicin for 4 months (4R) showed better adherence than the traditional 9-month isoniazid regimen.

  • 3

    Compared to 9 months of isoniazid, 4 months of isoniazid and rifampicin (4HR) was associated with fewer active TB cases at 1, 2, and 5 years.

  • 4

    Adverse reactions were more common with 3HP compared to 4HR and 4R, while 4R had fewer adverse reactions than 9H.

  • 5

    The findings highlight the need for further high-quality pediatric trials to reinforce future guidelines on tuberculosis preventive treatment.

Original Source(s)

Effectiveness and safety of the available preventive tuberculosis treatment regimens for children and adolescents: systematic review and network meta-analysis

  • by Vanessa Sabella-Jiménez, Dione Benjumea-Bedoya, Yenifer Hoyos-Mendez, Andrés Felipe Estupiñán-Bohorquez, Jorge Acosta-Reyes, Ivan D Florez

  • September 30, 2026

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