Septic arthritis in children.

BACKGROUND

Septic arthritis is an important osteoarticular infection in children. There is insufficient data on its pattern of presentation and sequelae in our environment.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the aetiologic factors, patterns of presentation and sequelae of septic arthritis in Nigerian children.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the clinical, roentgenographic and laboratory records of children with septic arthritis admitted over a 14-year period to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria was undertaken.

RESULTS

Ninety three patients with septic arthritis involving 104 joints with a mean age of 4.5 years +/- SD (range 2 months to 15 years) were studied. The most commonly involved joint was the hip (48.4%) though the shoulder was the most commonly affected joint in infancy (36%). Trauma (a history of fall and intramuscular injection) was associated in 28% of the cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant aetiologic bacterial agent (50%) even in patients with sickle cell disease. Anaemia was a common complication (64.5%). The overall result of treatment was unsatisfactory as only 37.7% had complete resolution while most had varying degrees of joint destruction resulting in limb length discrepancy and ankylosis.