Research Study

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TTS) in Paediatric Burns

It is over twenty years since Jim Frame and his colleagues at the Billericay Burns Unit in the UK reported the association between paediatric burns patients and TSS.
Frame JD, Eve MD, Hackett MEJ, Dowsett EG, Brain AN, Gault DT, et al. The toxic shock syndrome in burned children. Burns Incl Therm Inj 1985;11:234-41.
Since that paper there have been more reports of TSS from the UK but few from other parts of the world. Is TSS a British disease?
We would like to take a prevalence study of TSS in the Paediatric Burn population over a six month period 1st July 2005 to 31st December 2005. The criteria for diagnosing TSS should be based on the Cole and Shakespeare recommendations:
Cole and Shakespeare criteria for diagnosing toxic shock syndrome
Pyrexia > 39¢XC
Rash
Shock
Diarrhea and/or vomiting
Irritability
Lymphopaenia
Cole RP, Shakespeare PG. Toxic shock syndrome in scalded children. Burns 1990;16:221-4.
If you should be treating such a child in your unit could you please email, post or fax the details on the attached form.
Fax : 26324675
Email : carolinechau@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk
Thank you.

Caroline Chau
Burns Research Group
Department of Surgery
Prince of Wales Hospital
Shatin, NT
Hong Kong

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