Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome in Child. A Case Report and a Review from Literature

Abstract

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is the medical term used to define a skin condition induced by the exfoliative toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. The disorder is also known as Ritter disease, bullous impetigo, neonatal pemphigus, or staphylococcal scarlet fever. The disease especially affects infants and small children, but has also been described in adults. Prompt therapy with proper antibiotics and supportive treatment has led to a decrease in the mortality rate. The current case report describes the clinical progress of a patient with generalized erythema and fever, followed by the appearance of bullous lesions with tendency to rupture under the smallest pressure, and with extended areas of denudation. The patient aged four years and six months was admitted to our clinic to establish the aetiology and treatment of a generalized bullous exanthema, followed by a skin denudation associated with fever and impaired general status. Based on clinical and paraclinical examinations a diagnosis of Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome was established which responded favourably to antibiotic treatment, hydro-electrolytic re-equilibration, and adequate local hygiene. Staphylococcal infection can represent a problem of significant pathological importance sometimes requiring a multidisciplinary approach involving paediatricians, dermatologists, infectious diseases specialists, and plastic surgeons.

Comparison of adult vs. paediatric inpatients with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: a retrospective database analysis

“…In this large retrospective cohort of inpatients with SSSS, adults had a higher prevalence of chronic comorbidities and inpatient complications compared with paediatric inpatients. The increased mortality of SSSS in adult patients suggested by our study agrees with much of the literature 2,3,6 . This increased mortality is likely partially attributable to the fact that adult patients with SSSS are more likely to be immunocompromised, and thus are unable to clear infections before progression, and have chronic comorbidities including renal impairment, which hampers the ability to remove bacterial toxins 3,7,8 .…”

Lung Abscess Remains a Life-Threatening Condition in Pediatrics – A Case Report

“…Even though in the present case the lung abscess was the result of pneumonia, no predisposing factors or underlying conditions were identified that could have led to this condition. One of the most severe and common complications of lung abscess is sepsis, a critical condition with a wide spectrum of aetiologies, but which usually carries a good prognosis in children [ 9 , 10 ]. The most common aetiological agents of lung abscess in paediatric patients are Gram-positive cocci including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia and anaerobic bacteria.…”

Síndrome de piel escaldada. Avances en Diagnóstico y Tratamiento.

“…Los pacientes necesitan cuidados similares a los de quemaduras térmicas, con reposición de fluidos, y cuidados de heridas (14). Se debe compensar la pérdida de fluidos y prevenir hipovolemia, se debe controlar regularmente los electrolitos y poner especialmente atención a hiponatremia por hipervolemización (5).…”