Is vitamin B6 supplementation of isoniazid therapy useful in childhood tuberculosis

Abstract

We present the results of a prospective single blind placebo controlled study performed to establish whether vitamin B6 supplementation of isoniazid therapy is useful in childhood tuberculosis. Eighty-five children suffering from tuberculosis (TB) and admitted between 1 October 1993 and 31 March 1995 to the Hospital of IME-Kimpese (Lower Zaire) were included. All were treated with isoniazid and other antitubercular drugs and were randomized to receive either vitamin B6 supplementation or placebo. No case of neurological or neuropsychiatric disorder was observed in the two groups during the 6 months of the treatment and 3 months after the treatment. These results suggest that the vitamin B6 supplementation of isoniazid therapy is unnecessary in childhood TB.