Investigating the correlations among clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings in pediatric patients with osteomyelitis and septic arthritis: a 12-year retrospective study

Septic arthritis (SA) and osteomyelitis (OM) were more prevalent among boys aged 2-12 years. The presence of comorbidities and use of immunosuppressive medications were associated with prolonged hospital stays. Notably, fever was present in fewer than 80% of patients. Among laboratory markers, ESR was the only parameter significantly correlated with both positive culture results and longer hospitalization, emphasizing its utility in assessing infection severity and guiding follow-up. Ultrasound findings were helpful in evaluating SA severity and informing clinical management. MRI emerged as the gold standard for diagnosing OM. Finally, the low rate of culture positivity highlights the importance of initiating timely empirical antibiotic therapy, even in the absence of confirmed microbiological evidence.