Clinical, biological and bacteriological characteristics of osteoarticular infections in infants less than 12 months of age

Abstract

Aim: This retrospective study’s objective was to evaluate osteoarticular infection in infants less than 12 months of age, with a particular focus on biological features and bacteriological etiology. Material & methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of every infant younger than 12 months old admitted in our institution for a suspected osteoarticular infection between January 1980 and December 2016. Results: Sixty-nine patients records were reviewed, including eight neonates, 16 infants from 1 to 5 months old, and 45 from 6 to 12 months old. Conclusion: Neonates and infants aged from 6 to 12 months old were more exposed to infections. Staphylococcus aureus remained the main pathogen in children <6 months, whereas Kingella kingae has become the most frequently isolated microorganism in infants aged from 6 to 12 months old.