ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: New Zealand (NZ) has high rates of pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) with males and children of Pasifika and Maori ethnicity overrepresented. AIMS: To update the incidence of Pediatric AHO over 10 years, identifying trends in presentation, organisms, treatment, and outcomes. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective review of children aged 6 weeks to 15 years admitted with Pediatric AHO across two centers from 2008 to 2017. Demographic data, features of presentation, investigations, management, and complications were collected. Incidence was calculated from census data. Data were compared with our osteomyelitis database from the previous decade. (1). RESULTS: 796 cases were identified. The incidence was 18 per 100,000 per annum. The average age was 7.7 years. Pasifika and Maori children are overrepresented (57%). 370 children (51%) came from low socioeconomic areas. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (87%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates are low (4.4%). Forty-four (5.5%) children were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with 9% mortality. The mean duration of antibiotics was 40 days. 325 children (41%) had surgery. Chronic infection has increased from 1.7% to 5.7%. CONCLUSIONS: NZ has high rates of AHO, however, the incidence has decreased from the previous decade. Males, those in low socioeconomic areas, Pasifika and Maori have high disease burden. The use of MRI as a diagnostic modality has increased. Future studies should focus on improving treatment via prospective analysis and reporting long-term morbidity to improve outcomes for children with severe disease and reduce rates of chronic infection.