Motherhood Hospital Successfully Treats an Infant from Osteomyelitis

· Osteomyelitis in the infant should not be considered a benign infection: Doctor

· Incidence rate of osteomyelitis is 13 per 100 000 (acute osteomyelitis 8 and subacute osteomyelitis 5 per 100 000)

Pune, 20th February, 2019: Doctors at Motherhood hospital, Kharadi saved a month old boy Sameer (Name Changed) who was detected with rare diseases called Osteomyelitis, an infection in the bone. Dr Sachin Bhise, Dr Tushar Parikh and Dr. Sameer Desai appeals parents to seek medical attention immediately if osteomyelitis is suspected.

“The Boy was brought to the Motherhood hospital with complaints of restricted movements of left lower limb since 8-10 days, it was noted swelling in left thigh since 5 days & fever with cough since 3 days. When the kid was 8-day old accumulation of pus was detected on right shoulder and was treated with oral antibiotics. On examination, the baby was irritable, febrile but haemodynamically stable. Left lower limb examination revealed swelling in thigh region which was warm to touch, redness of overlying skin, tenderness & restricted range of motions at hip joint” said Dr Bhise.

Dr Sachin Bhise, Paediatrician & Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi says, “X-ray of hip region showed erosion of left femoral head along its lateral aspect & soft tissue swelling in left thigh region. USG of hip joint revealed large ill-defined heterogeneous hypoechoic area in left thigh in inter & intramuscular plane along with left femoral head showing cortical irregularity & erosion along its lateral aspect. With the diagnosis of osteomyelitis of femur with septic arthritis of hip joint, baby admitted in NICU & started on in antibiotics”.

“With the help of Paediatric orthopaedic surgeon pus in hip joint & left thigh was removed and Hip plaster was done to give better stability. Post procedure baby remained stable, repeat ESR & CRP decreased to normal. During hospital stay, mother was trained for oral feeding & other nursing care as hip spica (plaster) was advised for 8 weeks.”, added Dr Bhise.

Dr Sameer Desai, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi says,“Joint and bone infection is common in children. This child had very low weight and special equipment’s and techniques were used to operate the child. The tissues are very small and hence operation is very difficult and skillful” .

Dr. Tushar Parikh, Head of Pediatrics and Neonatology at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi says,“Any child not moving the limb and having pain and fever should be suspected to have joint infection. It is an Orthopedic emergency as delay in treatment could literally melt down the affected bones. Pre-term children are particularly more prone due to their poor immunity… Parents should be cautious and bring the child to doctor when the child is not moving the limbs”

Osteomyelitis is an uncommon & usually occur in premature infants. Septic arthritis of the hip is an orthopaedic emergency which, treated late or inadequately, can have devastating consequences for the developing hip joint. Thus, early diagnosis & effective treatment is vital, if serious long-term complications are to be avoided.