Haemophilus influenzae type b osteomyelitis in infants and children

Haemophilus influenzae type b has rarely been implicated as a pathogen of osteomyelitis in infants and children. Sixteen cases of Haemophilus osteomyelitis were identified in a 28-year review, representing 4.4% of all cases during that period. In the 1 to 24 months age group, H. influenzae type b caused 13.3% of all cases of osteomyelitis. The mean age was 15 months (range, 12 days to 34 months). All cases had fever, 75% had a history of a preceding respiratory tract infection, 75% had localized swelling, 69% had decreased range of motion of the affected or adjacent joint, 38% had local erythema and 13% had localized tenderness. The lower extremities were involved more often than the upper limbs. Concurrent adjacent suppurative arthritis was present in 75% and meningitis in 19% of patients. Clinical resolution was satisfactory in all but two of our patients, and both were associated with suppurative arthritis and inadequate surgical drainage.