A 3-year-old asymptomatic child is a household contact of a father with sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculin test shows induration of 12 mm. Chest radiograph is normal. Under NTEP guidelines, how long should isoniazid preventive therapy be given to this child?
- A 3 months
- B 6 months ✓
- C 9 months
- D 12 months
Correct answer: B. 6 months
Explanation
Children who are household contacts of infectious pulmonary tuberculosis cases, with a significant tuberculin reaction and no evidence of active disease, receive isoniazid chemoprophylaxis for 6 months at a dose of about 5 mg/kg/day. Three months is too short to prevent progression, and 9 or 12 month regimens apply to other settings such as HIV-infected persons or certain regimens abroad, not to this standard paediatric contact indication in India.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.