Neonatal septic arthritis in the North of Jordan

Abstract

We studied neonatal septic arthritis in the North of Jordan and investigated the pattern of causative microorganisms. In 27 neonates, 27 episodes of septic arthritis were identified between January 2003 and December 2004. The diagnosis of septic arthritis was made based on clinical and radiological findings plus the result of culture of the aspirated pus from the affected joint (s). The mean age of presentation was 20.1 ± 5.7 days. Male to female ratio was 1.25:1 and most of the neonates (85%) had been admitted and discharged previously to the same neonatal intensive care unit. Hip joints were involved in 70% of the cases. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and positive C-reactive protein were found in all cases. Microorganism was grown in blood or synovial fluid samples from 59% of the neonates. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent genus isolated (30%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter (22% and 7%, respectively). Gram-negative organisms continues to be the most commonly encountered bacteria causing septic arthritis in the neonates of North of Jordan. The high incidence of primary septic arthritis makes the early diagnosis essential. Previous admission to neonatal intensive care unit was the main risk factor.

Keywords

Neonate - septic arthritis