Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Osteoarticular infections in children in Qatar: A retrospective study
Mohamed Elkalaf1, Shabina Khan1, Maisaa Elzain1
1Section of Academic General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Insights
Pediatric osteoarticular infections (OAIs) in Qatar are common, with osteomyelitis being the most frequent type. Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, is the leading cause, and concurrent infections lead to longer hospital stays.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Musculoskeletal infections
- Clinical microbiology
Background:
- Osteoarticular infections (OAIs) pose a significant morbidity challenge in Qatar's pediatric population.
- A comprehensive understanding of OAI clinical, microbiological, and treatment patterns is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical, microbiological, and treatment characteristics of pediatric osteoarticular infections in Qatar.
- To identify prevalent pathogens and infection types.
- To analyze treatment regimens and their impact on patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 62 hospitalized children with OAIs.
- Data collected from Hamad Medical Corporation between 2016 and 2018.
- Analysis of clinical presentation, microbiology, radiology, and treatment protocols.
Main Results:
- Osteomyelitis was the most common OAI (48.4%), followed by septic arthritis (20.9%).
- Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, was the predominant pathogen (24.1%).
- Concurrent infections were associated with longer hospital stays (21 days), higher complication rates, and increased positive microbiological results.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric OAIs present diagnostic and clinical challenges, with Staphylococcus aureus as the primary pathogen.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounts for a substantial proportion of S. aureus infections.
- Concurrent infections necessitate aggressive management due to increased severity and prolonged hospitalization.
Background:
Osteoarticular infections (OAIs) in Qatar's pediatric population represent a significant source of morbidity, highlighting the need for a comprehensive evaluation of their clinical, microbiological, and treatment characteristics. Understanding the presentation and management of these infections is essential for optimizing patient outcomes and guiding future therapeutic approaches.
Methods:
Retrospective cohort study of 62 hospitalized children with OAIs treated at Hamad Medical Corporation from 2016 to 2018.
Results:
Over 2 years, 62 patients were diagnosed and treated for OAIs. Osteomyelitis emerged as the most prevalent infection type, comprising 48.4% of cases, followed by septic arthritis at 20.9% and concurrent infections at 17.7%. The cohort demonstrated a male predominance of 66.1%. The common clinical manifestations included fever (77.4%), functional limitations (82.3%), and pain (88.7%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated pathogen, present in 24.1% (15/62) of cases, with approximately 50% of these being methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Among the radiological studies conducted, 75% revealed abnormal ultrasound findings, while all patients exhibited abnormal magnetic resonance imaging results (n = 53). The antibiotic regimen most frequently prescribed was clindamycin (79%), followed by the cephalosporin ceftriaxone (67.7%). The group with concurrent infections showed the longest duration of both parenteral and oral antibiotic therapy, the highest complication rates, and the longest median hospital stay of 21 days.
Conclusions:
OAIs present substantial clinical challenges, marked by complex presentations and diagnostic difficulties. Staphylococcus aureus remains the predominant pathogen, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus accounting for nearly half of the cases. Concurrent infections are linked with more severe complications and prolonged hospitalizations, though they also exhibit the highest rates of positive microbiological results.
