title: Osteoarticular tuberculosis in children.
abstract: One hundred and four cases of osteoarticular tuberculosis were studied. There were 74 boys (71.2%) and 30 girls (28.8%). The mean age at the onset of symptoms was 7.3 years, ranging from 9 months to 18 years. Seventy four cases (71%) reported 3 months after onset of symptoms. The spine was the commonest site involved (43%) followed by hip (14.9%) and knee joints (10.3%). Evidence of active or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis was found in 16.2%. All cases were treated by three drug regimen of rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol; rifampicin was discontinued after 6 months, ethambutol after 12-14 months. In 12 cases (11.5%) isoniazid was continued for 18 months. Along with chemotherapy suitable braces, splints, tractions, exercises and other form of physical therapy produced satisfactory results. Seventy eight patients (75%) showed clinical and radiological improvement with one year of treatment. The follow up period ranged between 4 months to 24 months with an average of 17 months. Children because of capacity to grow, showed progressive deformity in knee in 3 cases (2.8%), hip in 98 cases (8.6%), shortening of limbs in 14 cases (13.4%) and kyphosis in 13 cases (12.5%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Saraf
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Srivastava
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents