Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in children in western Uttar Pradesh

This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of tubercular infection and compute the Annual risk of tuberculosis infection (ARTI) in Bijnor district of western Uttar Pradesh through a hospital-based tuberculin survey conducted at a pediatric hospital. A total of 1085 children below 18 years (0–4 years 866, 5–17 years 219), attending the out-patient department during October 2007 through September 2008 were included. Tuberculin skin test using standard PPD RT23 with Tween 80 was performed on every 4th child attending the out-patient department and induration was measured after 48 to 72 hours. Using a cut-off of 15 mm among 0–4 y aged children, the average prevalence rate was 7.4%, and using cut-off of 10 mm in 5–17 y age group the average prevalence rate was 26.9%. ARTI was 4.11% (95% CI 3.09–5.14) and 3.50 % (2.46–4.48), respectively in the two age groups.