A STUDY ON COMPARISON BETWEEN INTERMITTENT AND DAILY THERAPY FOR TREATING PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO EFFICACY AND OUTCOME.

This randomized controlled trial and prospective study “Comparison between intermittent & daily therapy for treating pulmonary tuberculosis in children with special reference to efficacy & outcome“ was conducted in S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital & S.V.P. P.G.I.P., Cuttack under the supervision of R.N.T.C.P. Centre of S.C.B. Medical college, Cuttack. All the suspected cases, after screening, were diagnosed to have Pulmonary Tuberculosis according to WHO recommendation and then divided into two groups randomly comprising of 45 each.One group was given Daily regimen and other group Intermittent regimen therapy.Among the Daily Treatment group,majority of cases (2761.4%) became symptom free by 1 month,whereas,9 (20.5%) and 8 (17.7%) children took 15 days and 2 months respectively to be free from the symptoms.Among the Intermittent Treatment group, majority of cases (2555.5%) became symptom free by 1 month, whereas, 7 (15.5%) and 8 (17.7%) children took 15 days and 2 months respectively. Majority cases had weight gain ranging from 2-4 kg. Complete radiological improvement was remarkable in daily treatment group. Gastric aspirate & sputum conversion. at 2 month is 100% for both daily as well as intermittent regimen. At 6 months after the completion of therapy, there was not a single case of relapse in both groups. Majority (4497.7%/4088.8 %) got cured. From the present study we can conclude that daily anti-tubercular therapy is better in terms of symptomatic relief as well as radiological changes at 6 months, than that of intermittent therapy in the treatment of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis.