BACKGROUND: Although there are many studies on the effects of TB DOTS on the treatment outcomes of adults, there are limited studies in the pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the treatment outcomes of pediatric PTB patients who were treated in the outpatient department (OPD) and the TB DOTS Center from January 2007 - December 2011.

METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the De La Salle University Hospital in Dasmarinas, Cavite. Charts of pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients at the OPD and TB DOTS Center from January 2007 - December 2011 were reviewed. Demographic data as well as outcomes were compared.

RESULTS: There were more patients treated for PTB at the OPD than in the DOTS, with age range between 1 -3 years old. Sixty-three percent of patients at the DOTS were initially seen by private practitioners. After two months of treatment, 98.2% of patients in DOTS and 84.1% in the OPD were still compliant. The difference in percentage of patients with weight gain, relief of fever, and improved general well-being after two months between DOTS and OPD were statistically insignificant. However, the percentage of patients with relief from cough after two months of treatment was significantly higher in DOTS versus the OPD. The treatment success at the DOTS is significantly higher than in the OPD (95.4% versus 54.2%), with an approximately 1.8x times likelihood of successful treatment.

CONCLUSION: Patients at the DOTS who had cough were more likely to improve than in the OPD. The percentage of patients who defaulted after two months of treatment increased in the OPD. At the end of six months, the TB DOTS had better percentage of successful treatment.