Septic Arthritis of the Hip in Infancy

A retrospective study was undertaken of 24 infants with septic arthritis of one or both hips who presented to the Children's Hospital, Camperdown, during the 15 year period from 1973 to 1989. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most common pathogen. Umbilical catheterization was a significant aetiological factor in seven of 10 neonates studied. Young premature infants had the poorest outcome in regard to permanent bony changes in the upper femur, hip instability and leg length discrepancy. In patients with unstable and severely damaged upper femora, late salvage procedures were found to be unsatisfactory.