## Standard Treatment Duration for Drug-Sensitive Pediatric TB **Key Point:** The WHO-recommended standard regimen for drug-sensitive TB in children is a **2-month intensive phase followed by a 4-month continuation phase**, totaling **6 months of therapy**. ### Intensive Phase (2 months) - Four-drug regimen: Isoniazid (H), Rifampicin (R), Pyrazinamide (Z), Ethambutol (E) - Dosing adjusted for pediatric weight bands - Achieves rapid bacterial kill and reduces infectivity ### Continuation Phase (4 months) - Two-drug regimen: Isoniazid + Rifampicin - Consolidates cure and prevents relapse - Total duration: **6 months (2HRZE/4HR)** **High-Yield:** This 6-month regimen is standard across WHO, Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), and RNTCP guidelines for drug-sensitive TB in children, regardless of age or site of disease (pulmonary or extrapulmonary, except TB meningitis which requires 9–12 months). **Clinical Pearl:** Adherence monitoring is critical in pediatric TB; directly observed therapy (DOT) is the standard of care to ensure treatment completion and prevent drug resistance. [cite:Park 26e Ch 8]
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