Major challenges still exist in the accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis in children. Algorithms based on clinical and radiological features remain in widespread use despite poor performance. Newer molecular diagnostics allow for rapid identification of TB and detection of drug-resistance in a subset of children, but lack sensitivity. Molecular testing of multiple specimens, including non-traditional specimen types, such as nasopharyngeal aspirates and stool and urine, may improve sensitivity, but the optimal combination of specimens requires further research. Novel tests under development or evaluation include a urine lipoarabinomannan test with improved sensitivity and a range of biomarkers measured from stimulated or unstimulated peripheral blood.

儿童结核病的准确诊断仍然存在重大挑战。尽管性能不佳，基于临床和放射学特征的算法仍然被广泛使用。较新的分子诊断可以快速识别结核病并检测部分儿童的耐药性，但缺乏敏感性。对多个样本（包括非传统样本类型，例如鼻咽抽吸物、粪便和尿液）进行分子检测可能会提高灵敏度，但样本的最佳组合需要进一步研究。正在开发或评估的新测试包括灵敏度提高的尿液阿拉伯脂甘露聚糖测试以及从刺激或未刺激的外周血中测量的一系列生物标志物。