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New Zealand study of pediatric patients with osteomyelitis shows high rate in specific populations
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This 10-year retrospective review of pediatric patients in New Zealand with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis showed higher rates of the condition among the Maori and Pacific Islander populations in the country.
Researchers reviewed the clinical records of 813 patients with pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) who were treated at two orthopedic institutions in the Auckland, New Zealand region. Data collected included demographics, inflammatory markers at admission and bacterial cultures, osteomyelitis site, method of diagnosis, length of antibiotic use, the need for surgery, complications and outcomes.
Investigators found the incidence of AHO was 1:4,000. However, they noted this rate declined during the 10-year study period. The researchers also found a higher incidence of AHO among male patients compared with female patients, and a significantly higher rate of AHO among the New Zealand Maori and the Pacific Island populations compared with all other ethnic groups. Overall, a diagnosis of AHO diagnosis was made radiographically in 66% of cases, clinically in 27% of cases and surgically in 7% of cases.
Among the 406 patients who had a causative pathogen, 321 patients had Staphylococcus aureus. Findings also showed a low occurrence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (2%). Antibiotic treatment duration overall for both intravenous antibiotics and oral antibiotics was 43.7 days. Overall, there were 361 patients who needed surgical intervention. Osteomyelitis re-occurred in 6.8% of patients at an average of 5.8 months. In addition, hospital readmission was needed in 119 patients for treatment-related complications, according to researchers. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Street reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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