Epidemiology of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in U.S. children.

BACKGROUND

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a blistering dermatosis caused by exfoliative toxins released from Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the incidence, costs, length of stay (LOS), comorbidities and mortality of SSSS in U.S. children.

METHODS

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2008-2012 was analysed, including a 20% sample of U.S. hospitalizations and 589 cases of SSSS.

RESULTS

The mean annual incidence of SSSS was 7·67 (range 1·83-11·88) per million U.S. children, with 45·1 cases per million U.S. infants age < 2 years. In multivariable logistic regression models, SSSS was significantly associated with the following (shown as adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval): female sex (1·12, 1·00-1·25), age (2-5 years: 13·31, 11·82-14·99; 6-10 years: 2·93, 2·35-3·66; 11-17 years: 0·44, 0·31-0·63); race/ethnicity (black: 0·69, 0·58-0·84) and season (winter: 2·04, 1·66-2·50; summer: 3·47, 2·86-4·22; autumn: 3·04, 2·49-3·70), with increasing odds over time (2010-2011: 2·28, 2·07-2·51; 2012: 2·98, 2·69-3·30). The geometric mean (95% confidence interval) LOS and cost of hospitalization for patients with vs. without SSSS were 3·2 (3·0-3·4) vs. 2·4 (2·4-2·5) days and $4624·0 ($4250-$5030) vs. $1872 ($1782·7-$1965). Crude inpatient mortality rates (with 95% confidence intervals) were similar for children with vs. without SSSS (0·33%, 0·00-0·79% vs. 0·36%, 0·34-0·39%). SSSS was associated with other infections, including in the upper respiratory tract and skin.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of SSSS appears to be increasing over time, and was associated with a number of sociodemographic factors and other infections. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and reduce rising rates of SSSS.