Morbidity in pediatric burns, toxic shock syndrome, and antibiotic prophylaxis: a retrospective comparative study

Ann Plast Surg. 2014 Jan;72(1):34-7. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0b013e31829be8be.

Abstract

The prophylactic use of antibiotic for pediatric burns has been suggested as a possible means of reduction of toxic shock syndrome. In our study, we review 1250 burn cases during a 16-year period (1983-1999). There was a change in protocol during this period (after 1991, all pediatric burn received prophylactic antibiotics irrespective of presentation), thus creating 2 groups: our control who received antibiotics when clinically necessary and our cases who received antibiotics as routine prophylaxis. Our results show no statistical difference between the 2 groups both in signs of morbidity and signs of potential toxic shock syndrome. We conclude that prophylactic antibiotic use is unnecessary and the use of antibiotics should be guided on a case by case basis according to symptoms.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis*
  • Burns / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Shock, Septic / epidemiology
  • Shock, Septic / etiology
  • Shock, Septic / prevention & control*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents