The disease often goes undiagnosed in children from birth to 15 years.
It is difficult to diagnose TB in children as it is often mistaken for pneumonia.
A TB patient must complete the intake of drugs for a full cycle of six months.
Most patients diagnosed with TB discontinue medicines without completing the full cycle.
This is one of the major reasons for the development and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB.
Advice for parents
Do not ignore persistent cough or cold that lasts for more than two weeks in children.
Symptoms
Unexplained low-grade fever that lasts for more than a week.
Weight loss and poor appetite in the child.
