Abstract
PA is usually regarded as an infrequent cause of childhood osteomyelitis. The records of 144 children below 19 years of age and hospitalized between 1972 and 1981 were retrospectively reviewed. Osteomyelitis was defined as signs of localized infection and radiographic or radioisotopic demonstration of an osseous lesion. 104 patients fulfilled these criteria. S. aureus, no etiologic agent, and PA occurred in 60.5%, 15.4%, and 10.6% of the cases respectively. Compared to all other cases, children with PA osteomyelitis were significantly older (mean 8.0 yrs. vs 13.4 yrs. p <.001), lacked fever at admission (60.9% vs 18%, p <.02), and lacked bacteremia (60% vs 0%, p <.03). The relationship between penetrating trauma or cutaneous drainage and PA infection was highly significant (p <.005). Although statistical significance was not achieved, at the time of presentation children with PA osteomyelitis had lower erythrocyte sedimentation rates, lower peripheral white blood cell counts, and longer duration of symptoms when compared with other causes of osseous infection. PA is a significant cause of adolescent osteomyelitis and is characterized by signs of local, rather than systemic infection.
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Elliott, S., Aronooff, S. PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA (PA) OSTEOMYELITIS IN CHILDREN: SIGNIFICANCE AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 273 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01082
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01082