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.
Kastrissianakis
Katherina
K
University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, UK. K.Kastrissianakis@gmail.com
Beattie
Tom F
TF
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