Severe bullous skin diseases: analysis of seven children managed in a burns unit.

Patients suffering from considerable cutaneous loss must be treated under strict aseptic conditions and with positive pressure ventilation, which is available in burns units. The differentiation of severe bullous skin diseases remains a challenge for the clinician. We report seven cases of severe bullous skin diseases in a paediatric age group treated in a burns unit with the cooperation of a paediatric intensive care unit (King Saud Hospital, Unizah, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia) between 2001 and 2005. Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome) was encountered in five cases, staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome in one, and generalized drug eruption in one. The mortality rate was 14% (one of the seven patients). Most of the children presented with about 35% desquamation and 45% intact bullous formation (70-80% total body surface area involvement). The majority presented after the sudden onset of high fever, signs of systemic toxicity, and intense mucocutaneous exfoliation. The diagnosis was confirmed by skin biopsy and culture swabs. All the patients were managed as for mixed second-degree burns with regard to fluid calculation and hydrotherapy. We used the closed technique for dressing. The results are presented, and the literature was searched for similar cases reported in other parts of the world. The importance of diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the condition is emphasized.