Abstract

Aim: Fifty-seven children with brucellosis treated in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively. Material and Method: Children with brucellosis investigated and treated at Pediatric Infection Disease Department, Tepecik Teaching and Training Hospital between July 1997 to January 2007,were evaluated retrospectively. Findings: The mean age was 8.75±3.54 years and 63.2% of the patients were male. 82.5% of 57 cases had a history of consumption of unpasteurized milk and ingestion of contaminated dairy products, 50.9% of cases had a history contact with infected animal. Complication was found in 18 out of 57(31.6 percent) patient. Osteomyelitis, arthritis and menengitis was presented in 21.1%, 5.3% and 5.3% of the patients, respectively. Conclusion: The most common contamination of brucellosis is consumption of unpasteurized milk and ingestion of contamined dairy products. The most common complication is osteoarticular involvement. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important. Clinical manifestations of childhood brucellosis are variable and it is still an important health and hygiene problem for our country. Education of people and vaccination of animals are important factors in eradication of brucellosis.