Update on Childhood Tuberculosis

The burden of childhood tuberculosis remains poorly known in the world. The diagnosis is challenging because tuberculosis in children is generally bacteriologically negative. Recent studies have described diagnostic techniques involving molecular biology, advances in the standard treatment and new antituberculosis drugs, however, the diagnosis continues to be based on current clinical data, radiological imaging studies and epidemiological investigation. Over the last decade, the treatment of childhood tuberculosis has improved because of scientific advances and international standardization of practices.