title: Haemophilus influenzae type b septic arthritis in children: report of 23 cases.
abstract: Twenty-three cases of Haemophilus influenzae type b septic arthritis seen over a recent 5-year period are reviewed. The natural history of the disease includes a mean three days of fever and joint symptoms prior to hospitalization, often accompanied or immediately preceded by a viral illness and/or otitis media. Concurrent H influenzae type B meningitis was present in 30% of patients and concurrent osteomyelitis in 22%. Infants remained febrile in the hospital for a mean of 3.6 consecutive days. However, secondary and prolonged fevers were common. Clinical improvement in the joint examination was first seen at a mean of 2.5 days. Characteristic laboratory findings during recovery included a decline in total WBC count, neutrophil count, ESR, and hematocrit, with a concomitant increase in lymphocyte and platelet counts. Outpatient follow-up for a mean duration of 20 months found only two of 21 infants with residual impairment. The time to total healing in the remaining 19 infants, however, varied widely--from nine days to 17 months (mean of 4 months).
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D001831:Body Temperature; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents