Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of childhood in Saudi Arabia Why does treatment fail?

ABSTRACT

To study the acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of childhood in Saudi Arabia and to evaluate the methods of treatment. The records of all children of 12 years and below admitted during a 2-year period with clinical and radiological evidence of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis were studied. Of the 128 children studied, the male to female ratio = 1.81. Pain and loss of function were the most common presenting features. Loss of function alone was the main clinical sign in the first four years of age. The tibia were involved in 36.7% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 81% of the causative organisms. Nineteen patients progressed to chronic osteomyelitis. There was no significant difference between surgical and conservative treatment as regards to failure [p>0.05]. Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of childhood is considered as one of the recognized health problems in Saudi Arabia. Prompt institution of the proper therapy is essential at the early stage of this curable disease