Introduction:

The main pathogen in osteoarticular infections is Staphylococcus aureus. The recommended treatment schemes are based on American or European literature, there are no data from local studies. The purpose of this study is to know the epidemiological profile in osteoarticular infections of the San Vicente Fundación children’s hospital (Medellín/Colombia) and the characteristics of the affected patients.

Materials and methods:

Retrospective review of histories of patients between 0 and 15 years old with a diagnosis of osteoarticular infection in the San Vicente Fundación children’s hospital detailing demographic variables, pathology and relevant antecedents to characterize the epidemiological profile of osteoarticular infections in the hospital.

Results:

We identified 72 patients with osteoarticular infection. The most common septic arthritis infection (40%) followed by acute osteomyelitis (37%), the most affected joint was the hip (18%) and the most affected bone was the tibia (31%). The majority of infections were secondary to S. aureus (65%) of which were by SAMS 38.9% and by SAMR 26.4%. Empirical as well as definitive antibiotic treatment was based on first generation cephalosporins 83% and 52.7% respectively. The main complication was sepsis in 18 (25%) patients.

Conclusions:

There must be a high index of suspicion, not all patients present with typical symptoms and / or signs. The main pathogen Staphylococcus aureushas increased the incidence of MRSA infections in our institution in the last 10 years in relation to previous studies. We note delay in diagnosis and therefore in the start of treatments.

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