Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2025
Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
The Epidemiology of Osteomyelitis in Children
Nike Walter1,2, Susanne Bärtl1, Volker Alt1
1Department for Trauma Surgery, University Hospital, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Insights
Pediatric osteomyelitis incidence rose 11.7% in Germany from 2009-2019. Chronic cases surged 38.7%, particularly in the lower extremities, highlighting the need for updated pediatric treatment protocols.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pediatric osteomyelitis presents ongoing treatment challenges.
- Understanding epidemiological trends is crucial for future planning.
- Data on incidence changes by age, gender, subtype, and location are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the changes in pediatric osteomyelitis incidence over the past decade (2009-2019).
- To examine incidence variations based on patient age, gender, osteomyelitis subtype, and anatomical site.
- To provide updated epidemiological data for Germany.
Main Methods:
- Utilized yearly reported ICD-10 diagnosis codes from German medical institutions.
- Quantified cases for patients aged 20 years or younger between 2009 and 2019.
- Analyzed incidence rates stratified by age groups, gender, osteomyelitis classification (acute, chronic, unspecified), and affected anatomical location.
Main Results:
- Overall pediatric osteomyelitis incidence increased by 11.7% (8.2 to 9.2 cases/100,000 children).
- The 10-15 year age group showed the highest incidence (15.3/100,000), with a 23% increase.
- Chronic osteomyelitis cases rose significantly by 38.7%; lower extremity involvement was most common (58.9% in 2019).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric osteomyelitis remains a significant health concern in developed countries like Germany.
- The observed increase in incidence, especially chronic cases, necessitates a review of current diagnosis and treatment protocols.
- Pediatricians and orthopedic surgeons should focus on optimizing management strategies for pediatric osteomyelitis.
Abstract:
Pediatric osteomyelitis remains challenging to treat. Detailed epidemiological data are required to estimate future developments. Therefore, we aimed to analyze how the incidence has changed over the last decade depending on age, gender, osteomyelitis subtype, and anatomical localization. Cases were quantified for patients aged 20 years or younger, using yearly reported ICD-10 diagnosis codes from German medical institutions for the time period 2009 to 2019. Incidence rates of osteomyelitis increased by 11.7% from 8.2 cases per 100,000 children in 2009 to 9.2 cases per 100,000 children in 2019. The age-specific incidence rate revealed the highest occurrence of osteomyelitis in patients aged 10-15 years (15.3/100,000 children), which increased by 23% over the observation period, followed by the age group 5-10 years (9.7/100,000 children). In 2019, out of all diagnoses, 39.2% were classified as acute, 38.4% as chronic, and 22.4% were unspecified, whereby chronic cases increased by 38.7%. The lower extremity was mainly affected, with 58.9% of osteomyelitis diagnoses in 2019. In conclusion, pediatric osteomyelitis is a serious issue, even in a developed and industrialized country such as Germany. Considering the recent incidence increase, the permanent need for appropriate treatment should let pediatricians and orthopedic surgeons deal with diagnosis and treatment protocols.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.