Affiliations: Department of Mother-Child "G. Salesi", Ancona
Hospital, Ancona, Italy | Department of Mother-Child, Ascoli Piceno Hospital,
Ascoli Piceno, Italy | Department of Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy | Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Pathology and
Neonatal Section, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
Abstract: Osteomyelitis and septic arthritis show similar problems in
diagnosis and treatment. The majority of bone or joint infections are caused by
spread of the bacteria through the bloodstream or occasionally by entry of
organisms through an open wound, by puncture or by extension of infection from
adjacent tissue. The most common causative organism is Staphylococcus
aureus but many other organisms may be responsible for a bone or joint
infections. Successful treatment of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in
infancy and childhood depends on early recognition and prompt institution of
therapy. Inappropriate or delayed treatment may result in chronic osteomyelitis
or irreversible joint destruction. This article reviews current information
regarding pathogenesis, epidemiology and microbiology of pediatric
osteomyelitis and septic arthritis and the clinical presentation, diagnosis and
treatment of these infections.
