A survey of 158 children with acute haematogenous osteomyelitis, and of 94 children with acute septic arthritis over an 8-year period was made to determine which bacteria cause these infections. In the osteomyelitis group the organism most frequently detected was Staphylococcus aureus (74% of cases). In 16% of cases streptococci were found. Staph. aureus was also the most frequently grown organism in cases of acute septic arthritis (55% of cases), but Haemophilus influenzae accounted for 24% of positive cultures. On the basis of the survey it is the current practice of the author to use a combination of methicillin or cloxacillin and penicillin for acute haematogenous osteomyelitis, and methicilline or cloxacillin and ampicillin for acute septic arthritis. The choice of antibiotics is vitally important as treatment must start before the results of culture are known. Repeated evaluation of trends in the pattern of causative organisms is strongly recommended, in order to be aware of changing sensitivity of organisms to antibiotics.
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