Conclusions
TB, TB-HIV co-infection, malnutrition
MALNUTRITION
In this sub-analysis of the INPUT study comparing children under age five years with TB-HIV co-infection to those with TB living without HIV in Kenya and Cameroon, we identified a lower-than-expected proportion of TB-HIV co-infection. Children with TB and HIV presented with malnutrition more frequently compared to those living without HIV. The use of LF-LAM in CLHIV contributed to bacteriologic confirmation of TB in these children. HIV positivity was significantly associated with a shorter time to TB diagnosis; however, children with malnutrition were diagnosed less rapidly. This altogether advocates for the need for better integration of TB services (including screening efforts and contact investigation) into all pediatric care entry points with a special focus on nutrition services, and for the importance of non-sputum-based TB diagnostics, especially in children living with HIV, to aid in more rapid diagnosis of TB.