When my 11 year old son turned one he was tested for TB 3 times. He had very sensitive skin and eczema. The tests weren't conclusive and the dr. decided to go ahead and treat him as if it were positive. He was on isoniazied for 5 months and taken off because of weightloss. He weighed 18 lbs at a year and 16 lbs and 18 months. At age 5 he was re-tested and was negative. So he NEVER had TB.
He is now 11 and is 4'3" and weighs 60 lbs. Do you think that the medication had an effect on his growth?? Is that a long term effect of the medication?? I really am wanting to know if this is a permanent issue or if I am worrying for no reason..........please give me as much info as you can. Thank you!!!
Isoniazid/Rifampin what are the long term side effects?
- Posted:
- 3+ months ago by Michelle ...
- Topics:
- isoniazid, isoniazid/rifampin
Details:
Answers (1)
Hi Michelle
As the mother of a 12 year old boy with similar growth issues I can sympathize! All I can suggest is getting a thorough medical check up for your son to make sure that everything is okay. It will put your own mind at rest and you will then know what you are dealing with.
My son was "off the chart" for years having been born small and early and has really only just started to make progress in the last year or two - weighing in today at almost the exact same height (possibly shorter) and weight as your son. He was referred to an endocrinologist when he was about five or six, who recommended a "bone age" test see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_age to predict his adult height. They were then able to diagnose him with Constitutional Growth Delay - which basically means he will get there eventually in his own time. Just knowing what we were dealing with has made life so much easier.
I haven't been able to find any information on the long term side effects of Isoniazid/Rifampin so it's hard to know whether it could be related. I have been told that even at the height and weight our sons are at now, they are still within the healthy range. A doctor or specialist will be able to tell you if there is anything to be concerned about - hopefully it is nothing at all. I hope this is of some help.
Good luck and best wishes
