Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Jordan University of Science
and Technology, Irbid, Jordan | Department of Pediatrics, Prince's Rahma Pediatric
Hospital, Irbid, Jordan | Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jordan
University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Wadah Khriesat, M.D., CHSM., Department of
Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology,
PO Box 3030, 22110, Irbid, Jordan. Tel.: +962 2 7200600 -X40650; Fax: +962 2
7095777; E-mail: wadahmd@hotmail.com
Abstract: We studied neonatal septic arthritis in the North of Jordan and
investigated the pattern of causative microorganisms. In 27
neonates, 27 episodes of septic arthritis were identified between January 2003
and December 2004. The diagnosis of septic arthritis was made based on clinical
and radiological findings plus the result of culture of the aspirated pus from
the affected joint (s). The mean age of presentation was 20.1 ± 5.7 days.
Male to female ratio was 1.25:1 and most of the neonates (85%) had been
admitted and discharged previously to the same neonatal intensive care unit.
Hip joints were involved in 70% of the cases. Elevated erythrocyte
sedimentation rate and positive C-reactive protein were found in all cases.
Microorganism was grown in blood or synovial fluid samples from 59% of the
neonates. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent genus isolated
(30%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter
(22% and 7%, respectively). Gram-negative organisms continues
to be the most commonly encountered bacteria causing septic arthritis in the
neonates of North of Jordan. The high incidence of primary septic arthritis
makes the early diagnosis essential. Previous admission to neonatal intensive
care unit was the main risk factor.
