Group B streptococcal osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. Its occurrence in infants less than 2 months old
I. A. Memon, N. M. Jacobs, T. F. Yeh and L. D. Lilien
Nine infants less than 2 months of age with group B streptococcal (GBS)
osteomyelitis or septic arthritis, or both, were seen from January 1975
through January 1978. The infants had local joint signs, usually in the
absence of systemic signs. The bones and joints involved were equally
distributed between proximal humerus and proximal and distal femur. An
infant had involvement of the talus. Treatment consisted of two to three
weeks of parenteral antibiotics, arthrotomy in infants with arthritis, and
bone decompression in infants with osteomyelitis. Clinical follow-up showed
normal growth and function of the affected joint. Of the organisms, five
were typed: four were type III and one was type Ib. Group B streptococcal
osteomyelitis and/or septic arthritis was the second most common late-onset
GSB infection, being surpassed only by meningitis.
