Diagnosing and managing pediatric tuberculosis remains one of the most demanding tasks in clinical practice. Young children frequently present with paucibacillary infection, non-specific symptoms, and an inability to expectorate sputum, leaving clinicians to navigate inconclusive smears, non-specific radiographic findings, and the constant risk of delayed treatment or empirical overtreatment.

This session provides an evidence-based roadmap addressing recent paradigm shifts across national and global pediatric TB guidelines. The discussion moves beyond traditional protocols to focus on practical diagnostic algorithms—including high-sensitivity rapid molecular testing (such as CBNAAT/GeneXpert Ultra), non-invasive sampling strategies (induced sputum, gastric aspirates, and stool assays), and standardized chest radiograph interpretation.

Attendees will gain clear clarity on updated therapeutic strategies: implementing shorter 4-month regimens for non-severe drug-susceptible TB, optimizing weight-band dosing with dispersible fixed-dose combinations, indications for all-oral regimens in drug resistance, and streamlined TB preventive therapy (TPT) for household contacts.