Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A (2023)

Osteomyelitis is a hematogenous bone infection; it poses therapeutic difficulties because of its evolution towards chronicity. The aim of this work was to determine the frequency, to describe the epidemiological, clinical, biological, radiological aspects and to evaluate the results of the treatments instituted as well as the prognosis after treatment. 
This was a prospective descriptive study, over a period of 19 months from June 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022, in the department of traumatology and orthopedics at Owendo University Teaching Hospital (CHUO). The study concerned the analysis of the files of patients from 0 to 15 years old at most, admitted for osteomyelitis, treated and followed up in the department. 
The results show that 12 patients made up of 8 men and 4 women took part in the study, with an M/F ratio: 2.0 in favor of men. The average age was 8.5 years. The patients who consulted after 1 month were majority in the series with 41.7% (n=5). Three patients had sickle cell disease with homozygous SS form in 25% (n=3). All patients benefited from samples for bacteriological examinations with antibiogram. The persistence of the infection was the most represented complication with 40% (n=2). The evolution was favorable in 83.3% (n=10), in unfavorable cases, we didn’t record any deaths.
In conclusion, osteomyelitis is rare in the department but remains a serious condition when it occurs. It presents a very variable clinical picture; the predominant germ remains Staphylococcus aureus. Treated early, osteomyelitis heals without sequelae but the slightest delay can lead to complications affecting the functional future of the child.