title: Why the Convention on the Rights of the Child must become a guiding framework for the realization of the rights of children affected by tuberculosis.
abstract: Until recently, paediatric tuberculosis (TB) has been relatively neglected by the broader TB and the maternal and child health communities. Human rights-based approaches to children affected by TB could be powerful; however, awareness and application of such strategies is not widespread.
  
  
  
  We summarize the current challenges faced by children affected by TB, including: consideration of their family context; the limitations of preventive, diagnostic and treatment options; paucity of paediatric-specific research; failure in implementation of interventions; and stigma. We examine the articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and relate them to childhood TB. Specifically, we focus on the five core principles of the CRC: children's inherent right to life and States' duties towards their survival and development; children's right to enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health; non-discrimination; best interests of the child; and respect for the views of the child. We highlight where children's rights are violated and how a human rights-based approach should be used as a tool to help children affected by TB, particularly in light of the Sustainable Development Goals and their focus on universality and leaving no one behind. The article aims to bridge the gap between those providing paediatric TB clinical care and conducting research, and those working in the fields of human rights policy and advocacy to promote a human rights-based approach for children affected by TB based upon the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
authors.affiliation: Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics 2nd Floor, Medical School Building, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK. r.basu-roy@imperial.ac.uk.|Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia, Fajara, The Gambia. r.basu-roy@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Robindra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Basu Roy
authors.affiliation: Human Rights Unit, Programme Division, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 3 UN Plaza, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.affiliation: Human Rights Unit, Programme Division, UNICEF, 5-7 Avenue de la Paix 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nicolette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moodie
authors.affiliation: Human Rights Unit, Programme Division, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 3 UN Plaza, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motlagh
authors.affiliation: Health Section, UNICEF, 3 UN Plaza, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Kumanan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rasanathan
authors.affiliation: Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics 2nd Floor, Medical School Building, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Seddon
authors.affiliation: Childhood TB, UNICEF, 3 UN Plaza, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Anne K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Detjen
authors.affiliation: Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics 2nd Floor, Medical School Building, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK.|Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia, Fajara, The Gambia.
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kampmann
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002651:Child Advocacy; D002662:Child Health Services; D002669:Child Welfare; D026690:Ethics, Clinical; D032984:Ethics, Research; D006076:Government; D000069576:Health Equity; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D010372:Pediatrics; D028723:Personhood; D057766:Policy; D012941:Social Responsibility; D057545:Social Stigma; D014376:Tuberculosis; D014480:United Nations; D026712:Value of Life
keywords: Autonomy; Child health; Child survival; Human Rights; Human Rights-Based Approach; Medical ethics; Non-discrimination; Paediatrics/Pediatrics; Stigma; Tuberculosis