(22) Primary sternal osteomyelitis in a 2-year-old infant with an inferior sternal cleft

Abstract

Introduction Primary osteomyelitis of the sternum is rare in the pediatric population. A literature review of all 78 published cases found no sternal malformations among those diagnosed [1]. We present the first case to our knowledge of a 2-year-old infant with an inferior sternal cleft that developed sternal osteomyelitis. Case Report A 2-year-old infant presents with fever, difficulty breathing and new onset rash. He is febrile to 38.6 O C with a respiratory rate of 40 breaths/min and a heart rate of 180 beats/min. He is an ill-appearing infant in respiratory distress with focal crackles heard in the …