Analysis of Sociodemographic Risk Factors in Pediatric Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Single-Center Study

Background: Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in children presents a growing public health challenge, particularly in urban metropolises. The intersection of sociodemographic factors with DR-TB in pediatric populations remains understudied, especially in rapidly urbanizing environments. Objective: To investigate the relationship between sociodemographic factors and DR-TB in pediatric patients at a tertiary care center in New Delhi, India. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study examining 200 children (aged 1 month to 14 years) diagnosed with culture-confirmed or GeneXpert-confirmed DR-TB between June 2017 and June 2019 at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. Results: Key findings revealed significant correlations between residences in unauthorized colonies (45%), exposure to high air pollution levels (72%), malnutrition (75%), and the development of resistant disease. The study population showed a male predominance (male: female ratio 1.2:1), with a mean age of 8.7 years (SD: 3.28). MDR-TB constituted 76% of cases, with a success rate of 93%. Conclusion: These results highlight the unique challenges of pediatric DR-TB in a rapidly urbanizing megacity and emphasize the need for targeted interventions addressing social determinants of health.