Transient synovitis of the hip: more evidence for a viral aetiology.
OBJECTIVE
Transient synovitis (TS) of the hip is a common cause of limping in children. A link with infection has been suggested but has not been firmly established. We conducted a case-control study to determine whether the TS is associated with infection.


METHODS
We enrolled children diagnosed with TS in our emergency department over a 10-week period. For each case, we identified an age-matched and sex-matched child with a fracture. Parents of cases and controls were questioned with regard to recent infectious illness in their child according to a predefined questionnaire.


RESULTS
A paired analysis showed that children with TS (N=29) were more likely to have experienced recent infection with vomiting or diarrhoea (P=0.004) and 'common cold symptoms/runny nose' (P=0.006) than the children with fractures (N=29). Other symptoms suggestive of either viral or bacterial infection were not significantly associated with TS.


CONCLUSIONS
TS is associated with symptoms of gastroenteritis and the common cold.
University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, UK. K.Kastrissianakis@gmail.com
Katherina
K
Kastrissianakis
Tom F
TF
Beattie
D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003139:Common Cold / Q000150:complications*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013585:Synovitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D013997:Time Factors
D002097:C-Reactive Protein