Topical silver sulphadiazine: side effects and urinary excretion.

Silver sulphadiazine has been used as a topical antimicrobial agent in a large group of children with burns and scalds. Four developed neutropenia and two an erythema multiforme rash which were thought to be due to sulphadiazine sensitivity. To assess the extent of sulphadiazine absorption in children, the urinary excretion was measured in a group of 8 patients with a mean area of injury of 13 per cent BSA. The mean urinary concentration of sulphadiazine was 31.8 mg/l.