SUPPURATIVE INFECTIONS OF THE SKELETON: OSTEOMYELITIS, ARTHRITIS, DISCITIS

Key words: Osteomyelitis, Arthritis, Discitis, Diagnosis, Treatment

Osteomyelitis and suppurative arthritis are infections not extremely common in children, but important because they can lead to severe consequences and permanent disabilities. In this article we face the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment for these conditions, underling the need for early recognition and appropriate drug therapy, based first on empirical data (mainly the age) then on germ isolation. A long treatment seems to be the crucial point, starting always with antibiotic infusion, followed by oral administration.