A risk of developing osteopenia in children undergoing preventive treatment for tuberculosis infection

Authors / Institutions

Nadezhda Yu. Krutikova / Smolensk State Medical University, Smolensk, Russian Federation

Anton V. Teshchenkov / Smolensk State Medical University, Smolensk, Russian Federation

A.V.Krikova / Smolensk State Medical University, Smolensk, Russian Federation

Tatyana G. Avdeeva / Smolensk State Medical University, Smolensk, Russian Federation

Objective. To study bone strength in children with latent tuberculosis infection who receive anti-tuberculosis drugs.
Patients and methods. A quantitative ultrasound examination of the strength of the tubular bones of the upper and lower extremities was conducted in 120 children with mycobacteria tuberculosis infection (experimentak group). У 73 children who received preventive treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs (isoniazid, pyrazinamide) bone strength examination was repeated after 6 months (comparison group). The control group comprised 42 children belonging to the 2nd health status group.
Results. At the first examination, according to osteodensitometry, children of the experimental group had a decreased bone density in tubular bones as compared to the age-related norms in 34.2% of cases, which had no statistically significant differences with the control group. The children of the comparison group were examined after 6 months, about 60% of children had a decrease of bone density of varied degree, the average Z-score 1.5 ± 0.8, which is significantly lower than in the experimental group. According to the study results, a significant statistical correlation was found between the intake of anti-tuberculosis drugs and bone strength in children with latent tuberculosis χ2 = 10.588, р < 0.012.
Conclusion. As was found, a long-term intake of anti-tuberculosis drugs has an effect on bone strength in children. In the outpatient settings, clinical monitoring of bone strength permits to ensure the safety of the administered long-term preventive therapy of tuberculosis.
Key words: children, bone strength, tuberculosis, treatment, osteodensitometry, chemoprophylaxis, anti-tuberculosis drugs
For citation: Krutikova N.Yu., Teshchenkov A.V., Krikova A.V., Avdeeva T.G. A risk of developing osteopenia in children undergoing preventive treatment for tuberculosis infection. Vopr. det. dietol. (Pediatric Nutrition). 2021; 19(1): 11–15. (In Russian). DOI: 10.20953/1727-5784-2021-1-11-15