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Paediatric bone and joint infections are more common in boys and toddlers: a national epidemiology study

L Grammatico-Guillon1, Z Maakaroun Vermesse, S Baron

  • 1Tours University Hospital, Tours, France. leslie.guillon@univ-tours.fr

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|December 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Bone and joint infections (BJIs) in children are more common in boys and toddlers. The French National Hospital Discharge Database (HD) can track pediatric BJIs, though coding may overestimate cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Epidemiology of bone and joint infections
  • Healthcare database utilization

Background:

  • Bone and joint infections (BJIs) in children pose a risk for growth disturbances, yet their epidemiology is poorly understood.
  • Utilizing the French National Hospital Discharge Database (HD) to investigate pediatric BJIs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the epidemiology of pediatric bone and joint infections (BJIs) in France.
  • To assess the epidemiological and economic outcomes of childhood hematogenous BJIs.

Main Methods:

  • Inclusion criteria: Children under 15 years old hospitalized with a diagnosis of BJI, sepsis, or orthopedic procedures.
  • Data analysis: Descriptive analyses of epidemiological and economic outcomes for pediatric hematogenous BJIs.
  • Database utilized: French National Hospital Discharge Database (HD).

Main Results:

  • Overall incidence of BJIs was 22 per 100,000, with higher rates in boys (24/100,000) and toddlers.
  • Septic arthritis (52%) and osteomyelitis (44%) were the most common BJIs; Staphylococcus was the most frequent pathogen (61%).
  • Average hospital stay was 8.6 days, with an approximate cost of €5200 per BJI hospitalization.

Conclusions:

  • The French HD database is a viable tool for studying pediatric BJIs.
  • Pediatric BJIs are more prevalent in boys and toddlers.
  • Potential overestimation of BJI cases due to coding of reactive arthritis as septic arthritis without bacterial confirmation.
Abstract

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