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Published on: February 9, 2011
Pediatric deep venous thrombosis associated with Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis
Linlin Liu1, Lingyun Guo1, Zhuangzhuang Wang1
1Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Department of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China.
Insights
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) affects over 20% of children with Staphylococcus aureus acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO). Most cases resolved within 3 weeks of anticoagulation without complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a recognized complication of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO).
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen in pediatric AHO.
- The clinical presentation and outcomes of concurrent DVT in pediatric AHO require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical features of children diagnosed with both DVT and AHO caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
- To compare the characteristics of AHO patients with and without DVT.
- To assess the resolution rate and outcomes of DVT in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records over 4 years.
- Inclusion criteria: pediatric patients with AHO and DVT caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
- Comparison of clinical and biochemical data between AHO patients with and without DVT, and analysis of DVT resolution timelines.
Main Results:
- DVT was identified in 22% of pediatric Staphylococcus aureus AHO cases.
- Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) was the causative agent in over half of the cases.
- Patients with DVT were older and presented with higher inflammatory markers, positive blood cultures, and longer hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- Over 20% of pediatric Staphylococcus aureus AHO cases are complicated by DVT.
- MSSA is a frequent cause of concurrent DVT and AHO.
- Anticoagulation therapy led to complete DVT resolution in over 50% of cases within 3 weeks, with no reported sequelae.
Introduction:
Our objective was to evaluate clinical features of children with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Methodology:
We analyzed 4 years of medical records of patients with AHO and DVT caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and compared clinical and biochemical characteristics of AHO with and without DVT, as well as patients whose DVT dissolved in ≥ 3 weeks.
Results:
DVT was found in 19/87 AHO individuals (22%). The median age was 9 years (range: 0.5-15 years). 74% (14/19) patients were boys. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) was present in 58% (11/19) cases. The femoral vein and common femoral vein were the two most damaged veins (9 cases each). Anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin was given to 18 (95%) patients. Within 3 weeks of anticoagulation, 7/13 (54%) with available data had completely resolved DVT. There was no rehospitalization due to bleeding or recurrent DVT. Patients with DVT were found to be older and had increased levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, D-dimer, positive blood culture, incidence of intensive care unit admission, multifocal rate, and length of hospital stay. We did not find clinical difference between patients whose DVT dissolved within 3 weeks and those with > 3 weeks.
Conclusions:
Over 20% of patients with S. aureus AHO developed DVT. MSSA accounted for more than half of the cases. DVT was completely resolved in more than half of the cases after 3 weeks of anticoagulant medication, with no sequelae.
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