Which organism is the most common cause of acute osteomyelitis in children?

Which organism is the most common cause of acute osteomyelitis in children?

• A. Streptococcus pyogenes
• B. Staphylococcus aureus
• C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• D. Escherichia coli

Answer: (B)

Acute osteomyelitis in children is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This reflects the organism’s ability to colonize the skin and mucous membranes and to seed the growing bones through the bloodstream (hematogenous spread). The metaphyseal region of long bones in kids has slow, tangled blood flow and transphyseal vessels that make it easy for bacteria in the blood to settle there, leading to a focal bone infection. While other bacteria like Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Escherichia coli can cause bone infections in certain situations (such as puncture wounds or neonatal infections), they are far less likely to be the culprit in typical pediatric acute osteomyelitis. Hence, Staphylococcus aureus is the best answer.

Acute osteomyelitis in children is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This reflects the organism’s ability to colonize the skin and mucous membranes and to seed the growing bones through the bloodstream (hematogenous spread). The metaphyseal region of long bones in kids has slow, tangled blood flow and transphyseal vessels that make it easy for bacteria in the blood to settle there, leading to a focal bone infection. While other bacteria like Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Escherichia coli can cause bone infections in certain situations (such as puncture wounds or neonatal infections), they are far less likely to be the culprit in typical pediatric acute osteomyelitis. Hence, Staphylococcus aureus is the best answer.