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Hot Topics in Infection and Immunity in Children pp 47–62Cite as

Bone and Joint Infections in Children

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Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 549))

Abstract

Bones and joints are important sites of bacterial infection in infancy and childhood, with clinical presentations that are variable and sometimes non-specific. Major clinical entities seen in children include classical hematogenous long-bone osteomyelitis, septic arthritis (both acute and chronic), discitis, and osteochondritis complicating puncture wounds to the foot. Early diagnosis and therapy of musculoskeletal infections are critical to the prevention of sequelae. In children, these include impaired growth with resulting lifelong deformity. On the other hand, children show a high potential for healing and remodelling, often have less comorbidity than adults, and tend to tolerate oral therapy better. While the stakes are high, therefore, the outcome of childhood bone infections is generally good, provided appropriate antibiotic and surgical treatment is offered in a timely manner.

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Authors
  1. Sophie Hambleton
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  2. Anthony R. Berendt
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Andrew J. Pollard

  2. Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas, Dallas, Texas, USA

    George H. McCracken Jr.

  3. University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Adam Finn

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© 2004 Science+Business Media New York

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Hambleton, S., Berendt, A.R. (2004). Bone and Joint Infections in Children. In: Pollard, A.J., McCracken, G.H., Finn, A. (eds) Hot Topics in Infection and Immunity in Children. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 549. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8993-2_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8993-2_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-4751-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-8993-2

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