Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome in a newborn ? A case report

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), also known as Ritter disease, and staphylococcal epidermal necrolysis, encompasses a spectrum of superficial blistering skin disorders caused by the exfoliative toxins of some strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Here, we have presented a case of ten-day-old newborn who was admitted with erythematous lesions over whole body surface area, of two days duration. A culture of the blood sample collected on the day of admission yielded a pure growth of Staphylococcus aureus, which was sensitive to oxacillin, cefazolin, cefatoxime, vancomycin, netilmycin, ticarcillin, and ciprofloxacin. In view of the extension of the lesions to other areas of the body the child was put on injection vancomycin and topical mupirocin in addition to ceftriaxone started earlier. A clinical diagnosis of Staphlococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS) was made.