Paradoxical Reaction to Tuberculosis Therapy among HIV-Negative Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nabaneeta Dash Department of Telemedicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India;

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Lovely Jain Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India;

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Meenakshi Malik Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India;

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Pranita Pradhan Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India;

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Monica Choudhary Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India;

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Phani Priya Mandula Department of Telemedicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India;

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Kulbir Kaur Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India;

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Abhishek Purohit Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India;

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Joseph L. Mathew Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India;
Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India

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ABSTRACT.

Tuberculosis treatment is sometimes associated with clinical deterioration, referred to as paradoxical reaction (PR), especially in those with HIV coinfection. However, the burden and characteristics of PR in children without HIV coinfection are unclear. We undertook a systematic review to estimate the burden and clinical characteristics of PR in HIV-negative children. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and OpenGrey for studies reporting PR in HIV-negative children (<18 years old). We included observational studies including case series with at least five cases. Data on incidence/prevalence, clinical features, risk factors, management strategies, and outcome of PR were extracted. Risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the NIH’s quality assessment and Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. We pooled the prevalence data using random effects meta-analysis. We identified 1,673 studies, of which 10 were eligible for inclusion. They described PR in 133 HIV-negative children. The pooled prevalence was 8.8% (95% CI: 2.9%, 14.6%). Owing to heterogeneity among studies, risk factors for the development of PR could not be identified. Limited data suggested that children developing PR were younger and had neurological or lymph node tuberculosis more often. Most children were treated with corticosteroids, but data were insufficient to identify the optimal management strategy. The review showed that PR affects nearly 1 in 12 HIV-negative children receiving tuberculosis treatment. The paucity of studies emphasizes the need for surveillance/studies to better characterize clinical features, risk factors, appropriate management strategies, and outcome.

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Author Notes

Financial support: The Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH) is funded through a grant from the Indian Council for Medical Education and Research (ICMR), New Delhi.

Authors’ contributions: N. Dash and J. L. Mathew conceived the study idea, analyzed and interpreted the data, and drafted the manuscript. P. Pradhan searched the databases for the studies applying the search terms. N. Dash, L. Jain, P. P. Mandula, M. Malik, and K. Kaur did the initial screening of the study titles and abstracts. N. Dash, L. Jain, and P. P. Mandula did the screening of full texts. N. Dash, L. Jain, P. P. Mandula, and M. Malik assessed the included studies for risk of bias. N. Dash and L. Jain extracted the data. The data extracted were accessed and verified by M. Malik and M. Choudhary, and M. Choudhary, L. Jain, and A. Purohit analyzed the data. J. L. Mathew provided guidance at each step and helped to sort out any issues or differences arising during study screening, selection, and risk of bias assessment. All the authors revised the manuscript and were responsible for the decision to submit the manuscript.

Current contact information: Nabaneeta Dash and Phani Priya Mandula, Department of Telemedicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India, E-mails: nabaneetadash@gmail.com and phani.omc93@gmail.com. Lovely Jain, Meenakshi Malik, Pranita Pradhan, Monica Choudhary, Kulbir Kaur, and Abhishek Purohit, Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India, E-mails: lavijain001@gmail.com, meenakshi.malik.acebch@gmail.com, pranita.acebch@gmail.com, monicachoudhary68071@gmail.com, kulbir.acebch@gmail.com, and abhishekpurohit3@gmail.com. Joseph L. Mathew, Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, E-mail: dr.joseph.l.mathew@gmail.com.

Address correspondence to Joseph L. Mathew, Advanced Centre for Evidence Based Child Health (ACEBCH), Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India. E-mail: dr.joseph.l.mathew@gmail.com
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