3D Printing Technology Reshapes Pediatric TB Treatment

6 August 2025

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is redefining the landscape of pediatric TB treatment by enabling personalized drug delivery, improved surgical planning, and tailored educational tools. A group of researchers compiled extensive evidence in a review published in Annals of 3D Printed Medicine, highlighting how 3D printing is being used to address the clinical and pharmaceutical challenges of pediatric TB.

Unlike adult TB, pediatric cases often involve extrapulmonary presentations, making them harder to diagnose and treat. Children rarely produce sputum for standard testing, and common symptoms are frequently nonspecific. In many countries, limited access to diagnostic infrastructure exacerbates these challenges. Researchers are now applying additive manufacturing to fabricate custom anatomical models, localized drug delivery implants, and responsive oral dosage systems to address these barriers.

Read the full news story at 3D Printing Industry.