[Purulent coxitis with hip luxation and acute peritonitis]

A boy aged five months was admitted to a hospital elsewhere on account of failure to thrive for three weeks and intermittent pyrexia. X-ray revealed dislocation of the right hip. After attempted reduction, the infant developed peritonitis. Laparotomy revealed pus which originated from purulent coxitis draining through a defect at the base of the acetabulum. Arthrocentesis should be performed in children with acute coxitis and high fever. If pus or cloudy joint fluid is obtained, the hip joint should be opened and drained at the same session. Neglected purulent coxitis results in destruction of the joint and prolonged incapacity which was the result in the case reported here.