BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhuanet) -- A new U.S. study found Monday sinus infections in children may cause toxic shock syndrome.

    Toxic shock syndrome is a potentially fatal condition typically known for its association with tampon use. The link between sinus infection and toxic shock syndrome in children has been largely overlooked until now, study lead author Kenny Chan, MD, chief of pediatric otolaryngology at The Children's Hospital and professor of otolaryngology at the University of Colorado, Denver.

    He said doctors treating children for toxic shock syndrome should be aware of the risk. "Prompt imaging studies of the sinuses is mandatory when no apparent cause of toxic shock syndrome is found," Dr Chan said.

    Dr Chan and colleagues analyzed the medical records of 76 children who had toxic shock syndrome between 1983 and 2000.

    They found 23 also had either acute or chronic sinus infections. Sinus infections were the primary cause of toxic shock in 21 percent of the cases -- many of which were serious. Ten of the children were admitted to the intensive care unit, four needed drugs to raise their blood pressure and six needed surgery.

    "It came as a surprise to me in terms of not realizing it was that high," Dr Chan said, adding, to put it in perspective, "sinus infections sometimes have rare complications, one of which is toxic shock syndrome."

    (Agencies)