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Published on: February 23, 2024
Osteomyelitis in burn children: Ten years of experience
María T Rosanova1, Carla Voto2, Susana Carnovale3
1Servicio de Control Epidemiológico e Infectología, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Buenos Aires, Argentina. margris2@yahoo.com.ar.
Insights
Osteomyelitis in children with burns is rare, often caused by fungi. This study highlights common clinical features and outcomes, noting significant sequelae in half of the affected pediatric burn patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Burn Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Osteomyelitis is an infrequent complication in pediatric burn patients.
- Understanding its characteristics is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical, microbiological, and evolutionary aspects of osteomyelitis in children with burns.
- To analyze outcomes in a tertiary care setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, descriptive study.
- Data collected from January 2007 to January 2017.
- Analysis of 12 pediatric burn patients diagnosed with osteomyelitis.
Main Results:
- Incidence of osteomyelitis was 2% (12/600 burn children).
- Fungal pathogens were the most common cause (9/12 patients).
- Common sites included upper limbs and cranial vault; fever was frequent. Median diagnosis was 30 days post-burn.
Conclusions:
- Fungal osteomyelitis is the primary etiology in pediatric burn patients.
- Half of the patients experienced functional sequelae, with one mortality reported.
- Early identification and treatment are vital to mitigate complications.
Introduction:
Osteomyelitis is uncommon among burn patients.
Objective:
To describe the clinical, microbiological, and evolutionary characteristics of burn children with osteomyelitis hospitalized in a tertiary care facility.
Methods:
Retrospective and descriptive study conducted between January 2007 and January 2017.
Results:
Out of 600 burn children, 12 developed osteomyelitis (incidence: 2%). Eleven patients had a burn caused by direct fire. Patients' median age was 42.5 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 27-118 months), and their median burned surface area was 33.5% (IQR: 18.5-58%). Osteomyelitis was diagnosed at a median period of 30 days following the burn injury. The most common locations were the upper limbs and the cranial vault. Fever was the most frequent clinical manifestation. The most common microorganisms isolated in bone tissue were fungi in 9 patients. All showed compatible anatomopathological findings. The treatment lasted a median of 44.5 days (IQR: 34.5-65.5 days). Six patients had motor sequelae and 1 died.
Conclusion:
Fungal osteomyelitis was the most commonly observed etiology. Half of patients had functional sequelae and only 1 patient died.
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