Presentation and Management of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome in a Child After a Burn Injury: A Case Report

This case report describes the clinical course of a child who developed staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) after a burn injury. The intent is to aid other units in recognizing the presentation of SSSS after a pediatric burn and to optimize subsequent management. The main clinical finding was of rapid, progressive, superficial epidermal loss at sites separate from the original burn, involving 55% of the total body surface area, 13 days after a 6% scald burn to the face, neck, and chest. Diagnosis was confirmed by multidisciplinary team clinical assessment and histopathology of an intraoperative skin biopsy. This confirmed epidermal cleavage at the granular cell layer. These findings were later supported by Staphylococcus aureus cultured from the burn wound, and a positive epidermolytic toxin A assay. Management was with general medical supportive care, clindamycin and flucloxacillin intravenous antibiotic therapy, and cleansing and dressing of the areas of epidermal loss. Key learning points from this case were that SSSS presented after a burn injury and that 13 days elapsed between the burn and SSSS. Factors differentiating it from toxic epidermal necrolysis are described, including the value of histopathology in confirming the diagnosis. The prompt use of antibiotics and attentive wound care are advocated as an effective management strategy.