title: [The challenge of administering anti-tuberculosis treatment in infants and pre-school children. pTBred Magistral Project].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are no paediatric formulations of anti-tuberculous drugs in Spain, with the only exception being rifampicin. Some paediatricians often prescribe composite formulations (CF), while others prefer to give crushed tablets. Nevertheless, there is no consensus in this regard, or any pharmacokinetic studies validating these procedures. In this situation, the Spanish Network for the Study of Paediatric Tuberculosis (pTBred) has launched the Magistral Project, which has as its first phase aims to analyse the desirability of developing child-friendly pharmaceutical formulations and other aspects regarding the anti-tuberculous drug prescription in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, multicentre, nationwide study was conducted, based on an online questionnaire sent to members of pTBred between February and March 2015.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-four responses from 67 consulted institutions were received. Most of the respondents reported prescribing crushed tablets. A significant number of those surveyed, although being fewer, prescribe CF, for which availability varies widely among institutions. Eighty-three percent replied that it would be essential to have fixed dose combinations of anti-tuberculous drugs, specifically adapted to paediatric doses and administered by CF or tablets. Among the surveyed institutions, differences were found in the management of latent tuberculosis infection, in the use of directly observed therapy, and in the monitoring of adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our survey reveals great diversity in anti-tuberculous drug prescription in children, due to the lack of suitable infant formulations, which could have an impact on treatment adherence and outcomes. pTBred intends to develop a pioneering and useful consensus document on the management of anti-tuberculous medication in children.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General de Villalba, Madrid, España. Electronic address: roipineiro@telefonica.net.
authors.forename: Roi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piñeiro Pérez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Santiago García
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Cecilia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fernández Llamazares
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baquero Artigao
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noguera Julian
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mellado Peña
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010372:Pediatrics; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013030:Spain; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Anti-tuberculous drugs; Children; Community surveys; Drug compounding; Encuestas comunitarias; Formulación magistral; Fármacos antituberculosos; Niños; Tuberculosis