Neonatal septic arthritis of the hip
- Neonatal septic arthritis of the hip, the bacterial infection of the hip of the child, is a surgical emergency. If not treated rapidly it will cause permanent joint damage for the developing hip.
- Epidemiology
- 50% occur in children < 2 years
- Hip is involved in 1/3 of all neonatal septic arthritides
- Risk factors
- Prematurity
- C-section
- Trauma
- Infection
- Clinical features
- Acute pain
- Fever
- Limping
- Swelling
- Prognosis
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment will cause permanent joint damage
- Femoral head destruction
- Joint contracture
- Gait abnormalities
- Treatment
- Emergency surgical incision and drainage, followed by IV antibiotics