Bone and Joint Infections in Children: Features and Outcome at CHU Gabriel Tour - Abstract
Aim: Osteoarticular infections in children are life-threatening and can lead to long-term disability. They require prompt medical care to reduce the risk of complications. The study was conducted in the paediatric department of the Gabriel Touré University Hospital. It was a prospective, descriptive clinical study lasting 18 months, from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2022. Children aged 1 month to 15 years were included. The aim was to evaluate the features and therapeutic outcomes.
Results: Thirty-four (n=34) cases of osteoarticular infections were included. The hospital frequency was 1.66%. The mean age was 8 years (range 1-15 years). The Sex ratio was 3.25 (M=26; F=6). Eight patients had a history of sickle cell disease (23%). The topography of involvement was as follows: bone (n=19; 56%), joint (n=5; 15%), bone-joint (n=10; 29%). Humeral and femoral involvement accounted for 23.5% and 40% respectively. Blood cultures were performed on 22 samples, of which 8 were positive. The pathogens identified were Staphylococcus aureus (n=7; 32%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=1; 4%). Staphylococcus aureus was proportionally sensitive to Oxacillin, Gentamycin and Ciprofloxacin in 85.7% of cases. Acute osteomyelitis accounted for 44% of cases. The mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 13.76±7.38 days, and 25 patients received appropriate antibiotics for a mean duration of 25.84±18.57 days. A combination of 3rd generation cephalosporin and aminoglycoside was used in 50% of cases. Surgical treatment consisted of flattening in 85% of cases (n=25). Red blood cell transfusion was performed in 82.3% of patients. The average hospital stay was 26 days (range: 10-65 days). Recovery was achieved in 97% of patients (n=33). One patient died due to sepsis.
Conclusion: Osteoarticular infections in children are still common in our teaching hospital. Staphylococcus aureus is the usual aetiology, but the emergence of new germs such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli requires attention.