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Paediatric Osteomyelitis in Fiji
Basharat Munshi1, Wiremu MacFater2, Andrew G Hill2
1Department of Medical Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji. basharat.munshi@fnu.ac.fj.
World Journal of Surgery
|July 28, 2018
Summary
Paediatric osteomyelitis is a significant health issue in Fiji, particularly affecting ethnic Fijian males aged 5-9. Early diagnosis and treatment of acute osteomyelitis lead to high success rates, while chronic cases require more intervention.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Public Health Epidemiology
Background:
- Osteomyelitis in children can cause severe long-term disability and poses a substantial healthcare burden, especially in developing nations.
- Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing morbidity and long-term complications associated with pediatric osteomyelitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence, demographic characteristics, etiology, and treatment outcomes of pediatric osteomyelitis in Fiji.
- To analyze the microorganism profile and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in pediatric osteomyelitis cases in Fiji.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of medical records of pediatric patients diagnosed with osteomyelitis between 2006 and 2010 was conducted.
- Data were collected from three major divisional hospitals in Fiji, covering all identified pediatric cases.
Main Results:
- An annual incidence of 18.1 cases per 100,000 children was recorded, with higher rates in ethnic Fijian males aged 5-9.
- Staphylococcus Aureus was the predominant pathogen, consistently sensitive to cloxacillin. Trauma and skin sepsis were common preceding factors.
- Chronic osteomyelitis occurred in 54% of cases, often presenting as abscesses or sinus tracts, and required more operative interventions with lower treatment success rates (61%) compared to acute osteomyelitis (92%).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric osteomyelitis is a significant public health concern in Fiji, disproportionately affecting young ethnic Fijian males.
- Acute osteomyelitis has a high success rate with treatment, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and intervention.
- Effective management strategies are essential to mitigate the impact of osteomyelitis on children's health in Fiji.
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