Differential Diagnosis for a 13-month-old with Leg Pain and Inability to Bear Weight
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Transient Synovitis: This condition is a common cause of leg pain and refusal to bear weight in toddlers, especially after a recent viral illness like pneumonia. It is an inflammatory condition that affects the hip joint, causing pain and stiffness.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Septic Arthritis: A bacterial infection of the joint, which can occur after a recent illness like pneumonia. It is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment.
- Osteomyelitis: A bacterial infection of the bone, which can cause leg pain and refusal to bear weight.
- Toddler's Fracture: A type of fracture that occurs in young children, often due to a minor trauma or stress on the bone.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Child Abuse: It is essential to consider non-accidental trauma as a cause of leg pain and refusal to bear weight in a toddler.
- Malignancy: Although rare, bone cancer or leukemia can cause leg pain and refusal to bear weight in children.
- Neurological Conditions: Conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome or spinal cord injuries can cause leg weakness and refusal to bear weight.
Rare Diagnoses
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: A rare condition that affects the hip joint, causing pain and stiffness.
- Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A rare condition that affects the hip joint, causing pain and stiffness.
- Kohler's Disease: A rare condition that affects the foot, causing pain and stiffness.