Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Open Access

Infection of the bones and joints in children

Despite advancements in understanding and treatment, child osteoarticular infections continue to be challenging to diagnose. Delays in diagnosis can result in morbidity that is potentially fatal. No one test, including joint aspiration, is trustworthy enough to detect paediatric bone and joint infection clearly. Clinical symptoms, imaging, and laboratory investigations should all be used to make a diagnosis. In all circumstances, algorithms should be used to supplement rather than replace clinical decision-making. In the therapy of septic arthritis, the roles of aspiration, arthrotomy, and arthroscopy are unclear. Surgery has just a little role to play in the treatment of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis. Although the ideal duration and manner of antibiotic therapy for osteoarticular paediatric infection have yet to be determined, there is growing evidence that shorter courses (three weeks) and early conversion to oral administration (day four) are safe and efficacious in appropriate patients.

Author(s):

Liam Emma

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