Development of treatment-decision algorithms for children evaluated for pulmonary tuberculosis: an individual participant data meta-analysis.
Primary health care centers will improve their capacity to diagnose and treat children with suspected TB if they apply the treatment algorithms indicated by the WHO.
March 13, 2023
Abstract
Treatment decision algorithms are now conditionally recommended by WHO in the evaluation of children with suspected tuberculosis, which could lead to improved diagnostic capacity and treatment initiation in primary health care settings where expertise in childhood tuberculosis may be lacking. This work represents a paradigm shift in pragmatic, evidence-based approaches that use advanced analytical methods to develop algorithms that are based on the best available data worldwide.