Pediatric Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressing bacterial infection of the subcutaneous tissue that can be lifethreatening. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, it can lead to septic shock, organ failure, and death. Due to the rarity of this disease in the pediatric population and the fact that initial symptoms are frequently nonspecific, NF in children is often misdiagnosed as cellulitis, which delays the correct treatment. Physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion and keep NF in mind because rapid surgical debridement is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this article is to better characterize what is currently known about NF within the pediatric population. In this article, the microbiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric NF are reviewed, and key differences between adult and pediatric NF are highlighted. Key Concepts•One must keep Necrotizing Fasciitis in mind when dealing with soft tissue infections.•A common symptom is a disproportionate level of pain for what can appear to be cellulitis.•Prompt treatment must include early, thorough, and frequently multiple debridements.•As a result of low incidences, collaborative multiple-center studies are needed to improve our level of understanding.