P. Cerar
Klinika za pediatrijo Maribor, Univerzitetni klinični center Maribor, Maribor, Slovenija

E. Šoster Križnik
Splošna bolnica Celje, Celje, Slovenija

S. Kopriva
Enota intenzivne terapije, Klinični oddelek za otroško kirurgijo in intenzivno terapijo, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

M. Rožič
Klinični oddelek za otroško onkologijo in hematologijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana

L. L. Lah
Klinika za infekcijske bolezni in vročinska stanja, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract

We present the clinical picture, work-up and treatment of a previously healthy six-month-old girl with a rare, complicated form of chickenpox. The child became ill with a fever and vesicular rash two weeks after her older brother had recovered from chickenpox. On the fourth day of her illness, her mother noticed that some of the scabs had become dark in colour with surrounding skin redness. Her head and neck became oedematous. On admission to hospital, she required antibiotics and antiviral treatment. She was transferred to the intensive care unit for observation of her vital functions, fluid replacement and vasoactive supportive care. Varicella gangrenosa is a very rare life-threatening complication of chickenpox, which is caused by a secondary bacterial skin infection, arterial thrombosis or purpura fulminans.

Key words: chickenpox, Varicella gangrenosa, bacterial infection, flucloxacillin, acyclovir.