Infantile Osteomyelitis

• Osteomyelitis Maxillaries Neonatarum, Maxillitis of infancy
• Osteomyelitis in the jaws of new born infants occurs almost exclusively in maxilla.

Etiology

• Trauma – through break in mucosa cause during delivery.
• Infection of maxillary sinus
• Paunz & Ramon et al  believe that disease caused through infection from the nose.
• Hematogenous spread through streptococci & pneumococci

Clinical features

• Fever, anorexia & intestinal disturbances.
• swelling or redness below the inner canthus of the eye in lacrimal region.
• Followed by marked edema of the eyelids on the affected side.
• Next, alveolus & palate in region of first deciduous molar become swollen.
• Pus discharge from affected sites

D/D for Infantile Osteomyelitis

• Dacrocystitis neonatarum
• Orbital cellulitis
• Ophthalmia neonatarum
• Infantile cortical hyperostosis

TREATMENT

• Intravenous antibiotics, preferably penicillin.
• Culture & sensitivity testing
• Incision & drainage of fluctuant areas
• Sequestrectomy
• Supportive therapy