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Intervertebral discitis in childhood
M M Hassoon1, M M al-Essa, P G Lewander
1Department of Paediatrics, Amiri Hospital, Kuwait.
Insights
Discitis, a spinal infection, is often overlooked in children. Early diagnosis via X-ray and bone scans leads to full recovery with immobilization and sometimes antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Discitis, a spinal infection, is an underrecognized condition in pediatric patients.
- It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute and subacute childhood illnesses.
Observation:
- A case series of five children (9 months to 3 years) with discitis is presented.
- Symptoms included a 2-4 week history of illness, low-grade fevers in two patients.
- Diagnostic tools included plain X-rays and bone scans.
Findings:
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rates were moderately elevated; white blood cell counts were normal or slightly increased.
- Blood cultures were consistently negative.
- All children achieved full recovery within 1-2 months following treatment.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of including discitis in pediatric differential diagnoses.
- Discusses diagnostic procedures and the judicious use of antibiotics in pediatric discitis.
- Emphasizes prompt diagnosis and appropriate management for favorable outcomes in children.
Abstract:
Many paediatricians are unaware of the disease entity of discitis, which must be included in the differential diagnosis of several acute and subacute diseases of infancy and childhood. In order to draw attention to this disorder, three Swedish and two Arabic children, aged from 9 months to 3 years, are jointly presented. The onset of symptoms was 2-4 weeks prior to admission. The clinical diagnosis was verified by plain X-ray of the spine and bone scanning. Two of the children had low grade fevers. The erythrocyte sedimentation rates were moderately elevated, while white blood cell counts were normal or slightly increased. Blood cultures were negative. The children were treated with immobilization, and three of them received antibiotics. Full recovery was achieved in all children after 1-2 months. The diagnostic procedure and the rationale of using or not using antibiotic treatment is discussed.