Search

Paediatric spondylodiscitis (SD) (discitis) is a rare bacterial infection involving the inter-vertebral disc space and adjacent vertebrae. The non-specific manifestations of SD can lead to delayed diagnosis, which may ultimately result in spinal deformities and even devastating neurological complications. The main purpose of this review is to discuss the epidemiology, clinical, laboratory and radiological features, management and outcome of paediatric SD to help paediatricians recognise and treat this important condition.

In this paper, we nominally propose three dimensions of medical ethics, using the term medical ethics rather than clinical ethics to focus on the professional obligation of paediatricians in and beyond the ward and clinic. We argue there exists a duty to children along the continuum of all three dimensions. In this taxonomy, the first dimension is the obligation of paediatricians to serve the best interests of their individual patients. The second dimension involves public health aspects and communitarian concerns with a focus on utilitarian principles, such as cost-effectiveness and just resource allocation. The third dimension of medical ethics is the obligation we hold in trust to support and respect the well-being of future generations. As our ecological footprint, characterised by climate change and biodiversity collapse, will adversely affect the health of today's children and those yet unborn, paediatricians have a contemporaneous moral obligation to speak out and act as both advocates and activists.