Publication:

Risk factors for septic arthritis of hip in neonates and infants

Background Suppurative arthritis of hip is pyogenic inflammation of synovial membrane of the hip, usually due to bacterial infection. The main aim of early diagnosis and treatment of septic arthritis of hip is to prevent damage to articular cartilage and growth plate, give stable and painless hip and to resume normal development and prevent sequelae.

Methods Prospective interventional study consisted of 34 patients with 36 Hips septic arthritis of hip less than one year of age carried out at Department of Orthopedics of a tertiary care centre during August 2011 to December 2013. Risk factors and related laboratory investigations were carried out. Data entry and analysis was done by MS Excel 3.0.

Results In our study more than 70% patients presented after one week. Left sided hip involvement (59%) was more common followed by right hip (35%). Sex ratio of the study population was   M: F-4:6.  NICU admission was present in 94% cases.  In many of our patients there were more than one risk factors like septicemia, low birth weight, jaundice and ventilator support.

Conclusions All NICU neonates should be handled with strict aseptic precaution.