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Necrotizing perianal infection in children: report of two cases
1Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Insights
Necrotizing perianal infection, a rare condition, can develop in children after diarrhea. Poor nutrition and immune factors may predispose them to this bacterial infection, which typically has a benign outcome when confined to skin and subcutaneous tissues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Necrotizing perianal infection is a rare but serious condition.
- It can occur in children, particularly following episodes of diarrhea.
- Factors like poor nutrition and immune deficiencies may increase susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report two cases of necrotizing perianal infection in young girls.
- To discuss the potential predisposing factors and etiology of this rare disorder.
- To highlight the clinical course and treatment of necrotizing perianal infection.
Main Methods:
- Case report of two pediatric patients diagnosed with necrotizing perianal infection.
- Clinical evaluation including nutritional status and immune markers.
- Assessment of infection extent and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Both patients, aged 1 year 9 months and 5 months, developed necrotizing perianal ulcers after diarrhea.
- Predisposing factors included poor nutritional status (hypoalbuminemia) in one and hypogammaglobulinemia in the other.
- The infection was limited to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, with a benign clinical course for both.
Conclusions:
- Necrotizing perianal infection in children, though rare, can follow diarrhea and may be linked to nutritional or immune deficits.
- Early recognition and management are crucial, as the condition can have a favorable prognosis when localized.
- Further research into the specific etiology and optimal treatment strategies for this rare pediatric condition is warranted.
Abstract:
Two girls aged 1 9/12 years and 5 months were treated for necrotizing perianal infection. In both patients, the necrotizing ulcers around the anus developed following an episode of diarrhea. A poor nutritional status with low body weight (25th percentile) and hypoalbuminemia (2.5 g/L) in the elder patient, as well as a hypogammaglobulinemia in the younger one, may predispose them to bacterial infection and subsequent perianal lesions. Anorectal trauma was denied. The necrotizing infection was confined to the skin and the subcutaneous tissue layer, and both patients had a benign clinical course. We report it and briefly discuss the etiology and treatment of this rare disorder.