A Case of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome in a 1-Year Old Boy with Otitis Media

Abstract

Introduction: Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), also known as Ritter’s Disease, is a severe disease seen mostly in newborns and children aged <5 years, and the mortality rate might reach to 4% despite an appropriate treatment. Exfoliative toxins cause intraepidermal separation in the stratum granulosum and lead to a condition that is characterized with widespread epidermolysis all over the body and bullae with positive Nikolsky’s sign. SSSS might be fatal due to loss of skin barrier. Immediate initiation of an anti-staphylococcal drug therapy is required for the treatment of this toxin-dependent disease, which is one of the emergencies of dermatology practices.Case Report: A 1-year-old boy was referred to a dermatology clinic from pediatric emergency service with widespread epidermolysis all over the body, including erosion and bullous formation that had been appeared in the inguinal region. SSSS was suspected in this case, and skin biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis. He was hospitalized in the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Service, and treatment comprising intravenous administration of (i.v.) vancomycin (40 mg/kg/day) and 3 gIVIG ( intravenous immunoglobulin) was initiated.Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus, a rather rare agent of otitis media, is remarkable in terms of causing the complication of SSSS, which is very rare. In our case report, we aimed to remark to this rare condition (association of otitis media and SSSS)