[Kyphosis caused by severe spondylodiscitis in newborn infants and young children].

The authors report their experience of 12 discitis occurring in the new born and in young children. Pyogenic infections were found with general septicemia in the new born children. The onset of cases of Pott's disease occurred later. Anterior destruction of several vertebrae accounted for severe kyphosis which were found on clinical examination. Conservative immobilisation of the kyphosis during growth does not prevent any increase in deformity before puberty with the possible onset of neurological symptoms. The only possible treatment is surgical with anterior arthrodesis of the damaged region together with a corrective osteotomy followed as soon as possible by posterior arthrodesis. If, unfortunately the patient is seen later in the course of the disease, the possibility of corrective osteotomy will depend on the degree of kyphosis and the neurological symptoms.