2025 11 Periorbital cellulitis in children скачать в хорошем качестве

2025 11 Periorbital cellulitis in children

Periorbital cellulitis is a common and serious infection in children in PNG and the Pacific. The infection is caused by bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and rarely by mycobacterium and other bacteria. To manage children with these infections properly it is essential we can distinguish between periorbital infection (of the eyelid and surrounding skin, sometimes called “pre-septal” infection) from the more advanced orbital or post-septal infection, where there may be an extension of an abscess into the orbit, from the adjacent sinuses, or infection of the bone or periosteum of the orbit. Uncomplicated periorbital cellulitis will almost always resolve with the right antibiotics and usually responds in 2-3 days. However orbital cellulitis often needs surgery by an ENT surgeon or ophthalmologist, as well as antibiotics. If periorbital cellulitis is not managed promptly, intracranial extension of the infection (brain abscess, meningitis), strokes, and generalised sepsis can occur. We will discuss several cases that illustrate this, and how a distinction can be made between periorbital and orbital cellulitis, and what a safe escalation plan should be if a child is not improving on antibiotics. As paediatricians we need to know about this infection in detail, as there is often not an ophthalmologist available.