Trauma-Associated Periorbital Cellulitis Due to Haemophilus influenzae
1 Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Affiliated Hospitals
2 Department of Pediatrics, Denver General Hospital, W 8th Ave and Cherokee St, Denver, CO. 80204
Although the role of H influenzae type b in childhood periorbital cellulitis is well recognized, cases associated with superficial trauma are usually due to Gram-positive cocci.1-3 A recent review suggested that appropriate antibiotic treatment of such cases might be limited to a penicillinase-resistant pencillin.3 The following case emphasizes the potential danger of this therapeutic approach.
A 20-month-old boy was entirely well until 24 hours prior to admission when he fell and sustained a superficial laceration on his right upper eyelid.




