Abirami Ravidaas¹, Amber Kumar¹, Shikha Malik¹, Shubham Yadav¹
1- AIIMS Bhopal, India
Abstract Body
Aim: To study the prevalence and risk factors for pulmonary hypertension and myocardial dysfunction in post-pulmonary tuberculosis patients aged 1–18 years.
Objectives:
PRIMARY: • To determine the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with treated pulmonary tuberculosis.
SECONDARY: • To determine the prevalence of myocardial dysfunction. • To assess risk factors associated with pulmonary hypertension in post-TB patients.
Methods: This single-center cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS Bhopal. Fifty children and adolescents (1–18 years) who had completed anti-tubercular therapy for pulmonary TB within the previous year were enrolled (time-bound sample). Inclusion Criteria: Treated pulmonary TB patients aged 1–18 years. Exclusion criteria: Structural heart disease, chronic lung disease other than TB, extra pulmonary TB, systemic illnesses associated with PH (e.g., HIV , sickle cell disease).
Results: A total of 50 patients were evaluated. Pulmonary hypertension was identified in 40% of participants. Among these, 90% had mild pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and 10% had moderate PAH. This pilot pediatric study demonstrates a notably high prevalence of PH in post- PTB patients. Existing literature has limited data on post-TB PH, particularly in children, and often focuses on adults with multiple comorbidities.
Conclusion: Pulmonary tuberculosis may represent a major underlying cause of pulmonary hypertension in high-burden populations. The community impact of post-TB PH is likely substantial but remains under recognized. Large-scale studies are needed to better define prevalence and risk factors. Echocardiography serves as an effective tool for screening and follow-up evaluation of pulmonary hypertension in this population.