Staphylococcal ophthalmia neonatorum and the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.

A 3-week-old infant had neonatal ophthalmia neonatorum, treated in a routine manner which rapidly developed into an advanced case of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. The infant had sudden onset of widespread erythematous and tender areas of skin with subsequent exfoliation of large surface areas. We emphasize the recognition of this syndrome and the understanding that it may rapidly become a serious consequence of staphylococcal ophthalmia neonatorum. We stress the need for initial microbiologic studies and early antibiotic therapy for ophthalmia neonatorum.