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. 2014 Feb;60(1):27-32.
doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmt072. Epub 2013 Aug 27.

Yield of screening for TB and HIV among children failing to thrive in Botswana

Tonya Arscott-Mills  1 , Ari Ho-Foster, Margaret Lowenstein, Haruna Jibril, Japhter Masunge, Phanuel Mweemba, Paul Nashara, Robert Makombe, Joconiah Chirenda, Harvey M Friedman, Andrew P Steenhoff, Nurit Harari
Affiliations

Yield of screening for TB and HIV among children failing to thrive in Botswana

Tonya Arscott-Mills et al. J Trop Pediatr. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Failure to thrive (FTT) is a sign of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We assessed TB and HIV prevalence in children with FTT at one clinic in Botswana.

Methods: In July 2010, we screened all children attending a 'Well Child' clinic for FTT. Children with FTT were referred to a paediatrician who: (i) assessed causes of FTT, (ii) evaluated for HIV and TB and (iii) reviewed the patient chart for evaluations for TB and HIV.

Results: Of 919 children screened, 176 (19%) had FTT. One hundred eighteen (67%) children saw a paediatrician, and of these, 95 (81%) completed the TB evaluation. TB was newly diagnosed in 6 of 95 (6%). At review, HIV status was known in 23 of 118 (19%). Ninety-five had an unknown HIV status. Forty-five (47%) tested for HIV; all tested HIV-negative.

Conclusion: TB and HIV screening among children with FTT diagnosed TB in 6% of cases completing an evaluation, but no new HIV infections.

Keywords: HIV; children; failure to thrive; tuberculosis.

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Figures

F<sc>ig</sc>. 1.
Fig. 1.
Number of subjects meeting each failure to thrive criterion. Twenty-nine children met more than one criterion for failure to thrive.
F<sc>ig</sc>. 2.
Fig. 2.
Flow of patients in the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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