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Survival of an extensively burned infant following purulent pericarditis
Insights
A severe burn led to Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis in a 2-year-old boy. Surgical drainage of the pericardial effusion resolved the cardiac symptoms and edema, allowing for recovery from extensive burns.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Extensive burns in infants pose significant risks, including secondary infections.
- Purulent pericarditis with massive pericardial effusion is a rare but life-threatening complication.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old boy sustained scalds covering over 70% of his body surface area.
- On post-burn day 36, the patient developed purulent pericarditis with massive pericardial effusion caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Findings:
- Conservative management of the pericardial effusion proved ineffective.
- Pericardiotomy and pericardial drainage were performed, leading to prompt and complete resolution of whole-body edema.
Implications:
- This case highlights the successful surgical management of purulent pericarditis secondary to extensive burns.
- Early intervention with pericardial drainage can be life-saving in pediatric burn patients with cardiac complications.
Abstract:
This is a report of the treatment and survival of an extensively burned infant following purulent pericarditis with massive pericardial effusion due to Staphylococcus aureus. A 2-year-old boy fell into a bathtub and suffered scalds covering at least 70 per cent of the body surface area. Pericarditis with massive pericardial effusion was diagnosed on post-burn day 36. As conservative treatment was ineffective pericardiotomy and pericardial drainage were carried out. Whole body oedema disappeared promptly and entirely and the patient was discharged from hospital with healed burns and free of cardiac symptoms.