Vertebral osteomyelitis is an uncommon disease in children, presenting with signs and symptoms that, at least initially, make a correct diagnosis difficult to be achieved. The authors report five cases of vertebral osteomyelitis in children, describing its clinical and laboratory peculiarities. The usefulness of the different radiologic studies for the diagnosis and follow up of these patients is discussed. We confirm previous reports according to wich, with adequate clinical and therapeutic management, the prognosis is good for most patients.