Final answer:
The most significant predictive factor for pediatric septic arthritis is a previous bacterial infection, particularly with S. aureus, which is also the most common pathogen for osteomyelitis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strongest predictive factor for pediatric septic arthritis is a prior bacterial infection. As S. aureus is the most common cause of both pediatric septic arthritis and osteomyelitis, children with a previous S. aureus bacteremia, those with an immune system impaired by other viral and bacterial infections, or those who have sustained a direct injury introducing the pathogen are at heightened risk. Treatment of septic arthritis involves the administration of appropriate antimicrobial drugs, including ß-lactams for staphylococcal infections or third-generation cephalosporins for resistant strains such as Neisseria.
The strongest predictive factor for pediatric septic arthritis is the presence of a positive blood culture for bacteria. In a study by J.R. Maneiro et al., it was found that positive blood culture was a significant predictor of treatment failure and mortality in children with septic arthritis. This means that when bacteria are detected in the bloodstream, it increases the likelihood of developing septic arthritis and can affect treatment outcomes.