Diagnosis and Management of Acute Osteoarticular Infections: Summary of New Guidelines

Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) and acute bacterial arthritis (ABA) are among the most common invasive bacterial infections in otherwise healthy children. The diagnosis of AHO and ABA requires a high index of suspicion in children presenting with fever and musculoskeletal pain and judiciously chosen laboratory and imaging studies. Choosing the appropriate empirical antibiotic requires familiarity with local susceptibility patterns, especially for Staphylococcus aureus. Typical antibiotic duration for osteoarticular infection is 2-4 weeks depending on the type of infection, response to therapy, and presence of complications. Transitioning from parenteral to oral antibiotics is guided by clinical and laboratory evidence of resolving infection. This review will provide an overview of the recommendations contained in the 2 recently published guidelines for the management of AHO and ABA.