ACUTE HEMATOGENOUS OSTEOMYELITIS OF CHILDHOOD IN SAUDI-ARABIA - WHY DOES TREATMENT FAIL

Objectives: To study the acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of childhood in Saudi Arabia and to evaluate the methods of treatment. Design: The records of all children of 12 years and below admitted during a 2-yea r period with clinical and radiological evidence of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis were studied. Results: Of the 128 children studied, the male to female ratio = 1.8:1. Pain and loss of function were the most common presenting features. Loss of function alone was the main clini cal sign in the first four years of age. The tibia were involved in 36 .7% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 81% of the causative organisms. Nineteen patients progressed to chronic osteomyelitis. The re was no significant difference between surgical and conservative tre atment as regards to failure (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Acute hematogeno us osteomyelitis of childhood is considered as one of the recognized h ealth problems in Saudi Arabia. Prompt institution of the proper thera py is essential at the early stage of this curable disease.