title: Osteoarticular Infections in Children.
abstract: For a child with a suspected bone or joint infection, knowledge of the workup and initial therapy is important to provide quality care. Fever and pain are hallmarks of a pediatric osteoarticular infection, although occasionally the signs and symptoms can be more subtle. The use of C-reactive protein to diagnose and validate effective management of treatment has become standard. Multiple reports confirm the success of much shorter intravenous (IV) courses than traditionally taught. The ideal IV and oral antibiotic duration, as well as defining the markers indicating need for surgical intervention, are questions yet to be answered.
authors: Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134, USA. Electronic address: john.c.arnold.mil@mail.mil.
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: Arnold
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: John S
authors: JS
authors: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002648:Child; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Acute bacterial arthritis; Acute bacterial osteomyelitis; C-reactive protein (CRP); Hematogenous; Osteoarticular infection; Pediatric; Septic arthritis