Use of skin substitute dressings in the treatment of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in neonates and young infants.

BACKGROUND Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a rare toxin-mediated skin disease caused by Staphylococcus aureus and seen in infants and children younger than 5 years. OBJECTIVES The supportive role of skin substitutes in SSSS is stressed as a new and relatively unknown method. METHODS Retrospective observational case-series study, in neonates and young infants diagnosed with SSSS. RESULTS Seven infants with SSSS, treatment with antibiotics, skin substitutes, strict pain relief strategy and prognosis were described. One of them was severely affected and deceased. CONCLUSION This study describes 7 infants with SSSS and stresses the important role of skin substitutes as Omiderm® and Suprathel® as valuable adjuvant treatment modality.