An 18-month-old boy developed toxic shock syndrome (TSS) after a minor burn. He sustained a second-degree burn (superficial partial thickness) over 4-5% of the total body surface area on the right upper arm and lateral chest. Four days later, he developed a fever and was brought to the emergency room of our hospital. At presentation, he had tachycardia and peripheral coldness despite the fever. There were no signs of infection at the burn site, but diffuse erythema was observed on the left upper arm and lateral chest. He was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for suspected TSS and compensated shock. Gradually, his condition stabilized and he was transferred to the general ward on day 4 of hospitalization. On day 7, desquamation away from the wound was observed. Staphylococcus aureus positive for the TSS toxin-1 gene was detected in the wound culture on admission, and we diagnosed probable TSS. Based on the course and physical examination findings, the patient was treated for TSS and had a good outcome without developing hypotension or multiple organ failure. TSS progresses rapidly and can be fatal, so it is important to be aware of TSS when treating febrile children with burns.
