DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2025.v13i05.014

Pages: 1087-1093

Background: Despite the emphasis on early treatment in pediatric septic arthritis, the optimal duration of parenteral antimicrobials remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of short-term versus long-term parenteral antimicrobial therapy in infants. Aim of the Study: The aim of the study was to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of short-term versus long-term parenteral antimicrobial therapy in infants with septic arthritis. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted from July 2021 to June 2023 at the Department of Paediatrics, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, enrolling 69 infants (0–2 months) with clinically or radiologically diagnosed septic arthritis. Patients were block-randomized into Group A (long-term antimicrobials) and Group B (short-term therapy). Outcomes included clinical and radiological improvement, complications at 12 months, and final prognosis. Follow-up was done every three months for one year. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 with Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact, and t-tests; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In this study, both groups showed similar baseline clinical and radiological features, with no significant differences. Clinical response rates were high in both groups (91.4% in Group A vs. 85.3% in Group B), and comparable improvement was observed at the 3rd month and after one year. Radiological recovery at six months and the incidence of complications—such as limb-length discrepancy and restricted movement—were also similar. Conclusion: Short-term parenteral antimicrobial therapy offers similar clinical and radiological outcomes to long-term therapy in infants with septic arthritis, making it a viable alternative.