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[Suppurative complications of chickenpox in children]
Insights
Purulent complications of chickenpox are common in young children. Severe cases require aggressive treatment, including antibiotics and surgery, but mortality remains a risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Chickenpox (varicella) can lead to secondary bacterial infections.
- Purulent complications of chickenpox pose a significant health risk, particularly in young children.
- Early identification and management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of purulent chickenpox complications in children.
- To identify risk factors associated with severe disease and mortality.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of current treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 213 pediatric cases with purulent chickenpox complications from 1979-1990.
- Classification of complications into local (n=155) and generalized (n=58) forms.
- Review of treatment protocols, including surgical interventions, antibiotics, and supportive care.
Main Results:
- Complications predominantly affected children aged 12 months to 3 years.
- Local forms were successfully treated in all cases.
- Severe cases (25 children) involved extensive skin lesions (>10%) and led to ligneous phlegmon and toxic shock, with 6 deaths.
Conclusions:
- Purulent chickenpox complications can be severe, especially in toddlers.
- Aggressive management including antibiotics, surgical debridement, and intensive care is vital for severe cases.
- Mortality is associated with extensive skin involvement and systemic toxicity.
Abstract:
In 1979-1990 213 children with local (n = 155) and generalized (n = 58) purulent complications of chickenpox, developing on days 2-6 after the eruptions, underwent treatment. They occurred mostly in children aged from 12 months to 3 years. Treatment of local forms caused no difficulties and was successful in all cases. A very severe course was encountered in 25 children with the development of ligneous phlegmon and toxico-infectious shock; 6 of them died. The extent of the lesion in these cases included more than 10% of the skin surface. The treatment consisted in multiple incisions, the prescription of antibiotics in maximal doses, and immunostimulating and infusion therapy.