Toxic Shock Syndrome as an Unexpected Complication in Outpatient Pediatric Burn Treatment: A Chart Review

Abstract

Background: Minor burn injuries in children affecting less than 10% of total body surface area (TBSA) are often successfully managed in the outpatient setting, however it is important to recognize they can be associated with serious sequelae such as toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review at a tertiary-level pediatric hospital between May 2012 and May 2022 to identify pediatric patients diagnosed with TSS following minor burn injuries. Data collected included: patient demographics, burn characteristics, TSS symptoms, and management. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: During the study period, 3706 patients with minor burns were treated as outpatients, of which 6 patients developed TSS. Ages ranged from 12 to 36 months, and half were male. Most injuries were scalds (n = 4) or contact injuries (n = 2), involving 1% to 3% TBSA partial-thickness burns. Early symptoms of TSS included vomiting (n = 6) and fever (n = 5), and later, hypotension (n = 5). Hospital admission for TSS occurred 1 to 6 days post-injury. Four of the 6 patients required ICU care, with 2 of them requiring fluid resuscitation and 2 receiving IVIg. The clinical course of 2 patients was complicated by deep vein thrombosis, with 1 patient developing a septic ileus as a secondary infection. All patients recovered and were discharged home after 3 to 9 days. Conclusion: We highlight the rare complication of TSS following minor burns in children. Providers should be vigilant for early symptoms of TSS like fever, vomiting, and hypotension. Further research to identify at-risk patients and preventative treatment would be beneficial.