[Coxitis in children].

The article includes a historical review of therapeutic procedures. Two patients with suppurative arthritis are described, one newborn child with delayed diagnosis resulting in necrosis of the femoral head and luxation. This child was in very good health all the time with no signs reflecting the severity of the infection; a fact which explains the failure to diagnose the condition. Immunodeficiency during the first year of life is probably responsible for the subdued clinical findings. Another patient, a 14 year-old boy, had a typical septic coxitis, which was treated early with arthrotomy and antibiotics with good result. Penicillinase-producing staphylococcus aureus was the causative organism in both patients. Osteomyelitis in the metaphysis was also present in the first patient. The most important factors affecting prognosis seem to be delayed diagnosis and arthrotomy. Associated osteomyelitis and penicillinase-producing staphylococcus aureus are also factors having an adverse influence on prognosis. The diagnostic aspects of transient synovitis and the pathogenetic correlation between this and Perthes' disease are discussed. In this field, ultrasonography and bone scintigraphy are essential for planning the strategy of therapy. The high risk of femoral head destruction is obvious.