An Unanticipated Complication of Atopic Dermatitis

An infant with a history of atopic dermatitis presented to the emergency department on 5 occasions with flulike symptoms. Eventually, this child presented with signs of infection and increased intracranial pressure: fever, bulging anterior fontanel, and leukocytosis. A computed tomography scan identified a large frontal lobe brain abscess. The abscess was surgically drained; culture was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The initial source of the infected brain abscess was explored. Ultimately, it was thought to be secondary to impetiginized atopic dermatitis, an unusual but serious consequence of a common skin condition.