Toxic shock syndrome surveillance in UK children

Background Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an acute toxin-mediated illness caused by toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. There is no recent data regarding incidence, management and mortality of TSS in UK children.Methods Consultants from paediatric and burns units in the UK and Ireland, reported cases of TSS seen between November 2008 and December 2009, via the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit. Respondents were sent questionnaires requesting detailed information about TSS cases. Established criteria were used to divide cases into staphylococcal or streptococcal TSS.Results Forty-nine cases were identified overall; 29 cases of streptococcal TSS (18 confirmed and 11 probable) and 20 cases of staphylococcal TSS (15 confirmed and 5 probable). The incidence of TSS children in the UK and the Republic of Ireland was calculated to be 0.38 per 100 000 children. Children with staphylococcal TSS were older than those with streptococcal TSS (9.5 vs 3.8 years;