@article{103618,
  keywords = {Child cases, contact investigation, Chemoprevention, Contact Tracing, Rifampicin, Children, leprosy},
  author = {Selvaraju E},
  title = {Child index cases of leprosy: clarifying the pathway for contact investigation},
  abstract = {<p>Leprosy detected in a child often indicates recent transmission within the community and requires careful public health response. While contact examination and chemoprophylaxis are established components of leprosy control programmes, the operational response triggered by a paediatric index case is less clearly defined in programme guidance. Evidence from preventive strategies supports systematic contact screening and prophylaxis for close contacts, but responses involving children must also address ethical considerations, including confidentiality, stigma prevention and protection from discrimination. Operational experience from the management of a child case in India highlights the importance of household contact examination, reverse tracing of adult contacts, targeted school engagement integrated with health education, and structured follow-up to detect secondary cases. A clearly articulated operational pathway for paediatric index cases may strengthen programme consistency and support earlier interruption of transmission in endemic settings.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Leprosy Review},
  volume = {97},
  pages = {1 - 3},
  month = {06/2026},
  publisher = {Lepra},
  issn = {2162-8807},
  url = {https://scholar.google.nl/scholar_url?url=https://leprosyreview.org/article/97/2/20-26023&hl=nl&sa=X&d=12488190083614894074&ei=yQgSarnUA5We6rQPj6q5eA&scisig=AFyMTJW7YTEaM0aNITQvZ2lRynuo&oi=scholaralrt&hist=732gnZIAAAAJ:2504567022825440215:AFyMTJWmR8U_-4O9},
  doi = {10.47276/lr.97.2.2026023},
  language = {ENG},
}