Deep venous thrombosis associated with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children

Introduction: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is rare in children. It may complicate acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO). Objective: The present study assessed the incidence of DVT in community-acquired AHO, and compared clinical and laboratory characteristics with AHO without DVT. Patients and methods: A prospective study included patients treated for community-acquired AHO between April 2007 and December 2009. Results: Seventy patients were included: mean age, 7.7 years. Seven developed DVT. All involved Staphylococcus aureus. The isolated Staphylococcus aureus was significantly more often methicillin-resistant than methicillin-susceptible (p = 0.04). C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive blood culture and incidence of pulmonary staphylococcus were significantly higher in patients with DVT. These patients also had significantly more febrile days. One patient with DVT died from severe refractory respiratory failure. Discussion: DVT was observed in 10% of cases of community-acquired AHO. DVT was associated with more severe onset, with extensive local disease. Surgery was often needed to drain a subperiosteal abscess. DVT can cause invasive and life-threatening infection through septic emboli, particularly to the lungs.