Thirty-three cases of acute septic arthritis of the hip in children were tr
eated at our hospital from 1986 to 1997. The average follow-up period was 6
years (range 2-11 years). In 17 cases the right hip was affected, and in 1
6 the left hip. The average duration of symptoms was 5 days (range 1-14 day
s). Microorganisms were isolated from the blood, joint aspirate, or surgica
l specimens in 25 cases (76%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common ba
cteria found (44%). Those patients with S. aureus infection were older than
1 year of age. There was no significant difference in the final outcome be
tween the younger and the older age groups. Twenty-six out of 33 patients (
89%) had a satisfactory outcome. Satisfactory results can also be expected
with arthrocentesis and medical treatment if the diagnosis is made early, a
nd antibiotic treatment affords a good clinical response. Four out of 7 cas
es with an unsatisfactory result were associated with osteomyelitis of the
proximal femur. The two most important factors associated with poor results
included a delay of definite treatment lasting longer than 5 days and the
presence of osteomyelitis of the proximal femur.