Nutrition support therapy for refractory elbow subcutaneous abscess in a child with atopic dermatitis and malnutrition：A case report

Abstract

We report a pediatric case of refractory elbow subcutaneous abscess with atopic dermatitis and malnutrition. The condition was successfully treated with aggressive nutritional therapy in addition to surgical treatment. The patient was a 7‐year‐old boy with atopic dermatitis who had an unbalanced diet. He frequently scratched his left elbow owing to atopic dermatitis. His elbow was red and swollen because of scratching for 2 weeks before hospitalization. Despite receiving treatment involving drainage and antibiotics, his subcutaneous abscess did not improve, and a left axillary subcutaneous abscess newly appeared. The patient’s treatment resistance was attributed to nutritional disorders due to an unbalanced diet. We performed aggressive nutritional therapy combining enteral nutrition and supplemental parenteral nutrition. His abscess and atopic condition gradually improved. For complex infections associated with malnutrition, aggressive nutritional therapy combined with medical and surgical treatment is suggested to improve nutritional status, enhance immune function, and promote infection control.