Necrotizing fasciitis in infancy: report of three cases and review of the literature.
Necrotizing fasciitis exists on a continuum of soft tissue infections between cellulitis and myonecrosis. It has been uncommonly reported in infancy (1-10). The diagnosis depends on recognition of the characteristic rapidly progressive clinical course and demonstration of full-thickness skin necrosis with involvement of the fascial planes overlying the muscle. The organisms most often recovered are beta-hemolytic Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus, but other aerobic and anaerobic organisms in single or mixed infection have been reported (1, 2, 11, 12). This infection has a significant mortality rate, necessitating early, aggressive, specific medical and surgical treatment.
D005208:Fasciitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009336:Necrosis; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification