Why diagnosing TB in children continues to be a challenge in India
A case study of a 12-year-old girl in Assam highlights the systemic difficulties in diagnosing childhood tuberculosis in India. Despite high national prevalence, childhood TB cases remain significantly under-reported and often misdiagnosed due to limited access to diagnostic facilities.
Why it matters
Addressing the diagnostic gap in childhood TB is critical for India to meet its public health goals and reduce the high burden of disease among its youngest population.
When Anika Khanum*, a 12-year-old from Kayakuchi, about 10 km from Barpeta town in Assam, began having a cough and high fever in December 2025, her parents first took her to a local private doctor. Anika hails from an agrarian family of seven. All seven shared a single room that doubled as a bedroom, living room, and makeshift kitchen.
The article uses a human-interest narrative to highlight a public health issue, relying on medical context and reporting rather than political advocacy.
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