Streptococcal lid necrosis in previously healthy children

Fulminant preseptal eyelid cellulitis developed in two previously healthy children, aged 17 months and 8 years, following minor trauma. Despite appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy, lid necrosis with ulceration developed in both patients. In both cases group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus was the causative agent. Spontaneous granulation of the ulcerated areas resulted in cicatricial defects, which in one case may require surgical correction. Neither child had a past history of susceptibility to infection. Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus has been known to cause lid gangrene, but almost all previously documented cases occurred in debilitated or elderly patients.