Food Intake and Nutrition in Children Undergoing Treatment for Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Children account for ∼11% of global TB cases. Adequate nutrition improves risk prediction, treatment outcomes, and helps identify children for TB-preventive treatment. We aimed to identify current evidence on food intake and nutrition, compare it with guidelines, and describe how nutrition is integrated into care for children with pulmonary TB.

METHODS

We a scoping review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) of peer-reviewed and gray literature from January 2013 to March 2026.

RESULTS

We found limited evidence: 16 research articles, six supplementary records, and two guideline documents. Evidence on nutrition in pediatric pulmonary TB remains insufficient. Many studies included nutritional status in clinical assessment. Few studies examined household food assistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Rigorous studies are needed to build evidence and translate it into practice to improve outcomes and prevent malnutrition in children with pulmonary TB.