[Neonatal osteoarthritis. Report on 24 cases (author's transl)]

Twenty four neonates affected of osteoarticular infection, treated on the Neonatal Unit throughout a four and a half year period are analyzed. In the majority of instances they represent a complication in the course of neonatal sepsis. In more than half of them there was a previous umbilical vessel catheterization. "Staphilococcus aureus" was the most frequent etiologic agent. Involvement of the hip was the location more often seen and of worse prognosis. Treatment besides of supportative measures, and specific antibiotic therapy, included posterior arthrotomy in the 13 cases of hip arthritis, and diagnostic puncture and/or arthrotomy in the rest of locations. There was no mortality, and only 20% of the patients exhibits long-term residual defects of variable degree.