Prevalence of Rifampicin Resistance in Pediatric Patients with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Using Gene Expert in Gulab Devi Hospital

Background: The prevalence of rifampicin resistance in pediatric patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a growing concern, particularly in regions with high TB burden. Early and accurate detection of drug resistance is crucial for effective treatment and management, especially in children who are more vulnerable to complications. Objective: This study aims to assess prevalence of rifampicin resistance in pediatric patients with mycobacterium tuberculosis using gene expert in gulab devi hospital. Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics at Gulab Devi Hospital Lahore, using a cross-sectional design over a period of six months. A total of 150 pediatric patients, selected through non-probability consecutive sampling, were included based on the inclusion criteria, including newly diagnosed MTB cases. Sputum or gastric lavage samples were collected and processed using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of rifampicin resistance. Results: The mean age of the participants was 10.51 years, with a standard deviation of 2.692 years. The gender distribution was relatively balanced, with 47.3% male and 52.7% female participants. Regarding rifampicin resistance, 8.0% of the participants exhibited rifampicin resistance. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a relatively low prevalence of rifampicin resistance (8.0%) in pediatric patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis as detected by GeneXpert.