Childhood osteomyelitis-incidence and differentiation from other acute onset musculoskeletal features in a population-based study.

Background: Osteomyelitis can be difficult to diagnose and there has previously not been a prospective approach to identify all children in a defined geographic area. The aim of this study was to assess the annual incidence of osteomyelitis in children, describe the patient and disease characteristics in those with acute (< 14 days disease duration) and subacute osteomyelitis (> or = 14 days disease duration), and differentiate osteomyelitis patients from those with other acute onset musculoskeletal features.

Methods: In a population-based Norwegian study physicians were asked to refer all children with suspected osteomyelitis.

Incidence and characteristics of arthritis in Norwegian children: a population-based study.

Objective: The purpose of this work was to assess the annual incidence of arthritis in children and describe early disease and patient characteristics, microbiologic features, and immunogenetic factors in children with different subgroups of childhood arthritis.

Patients And Methods: A population-based multicenter study was performed in southeastern Norway between June 1, 2004, and May 31, 2005. The total population of children under 16 years of age was 255,303.