Abstract
Introduction
Jellyfish envenomation is a significant yet often underrecognized public health issue, particularly in coastal regions with high marine activity. In Southeast Asia, countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia have documented numerous cases of jellyfish envenomation, including severe complications and fatalities. In Cambodia, the coastline stretches along the Gulf of Thailand and includes popular destinations such as Kampot, Kep, and Sihanoukville, jellyfish stings remain underreported. There has been a lack of published data or case reports documenting jellyfish-related injuries among Cambodian children. We report the first documented case of a 6-year-old girl who developed prolonged cutaneous necrosis and secondary infections following jellyfish exposure in the coastal waters of Kampot Province.
Case Presentation
A 6-year-old girl was initially diagnosed with a jellyfish sting. She presented with non-healing necrotic lesions and significant inflammation in both thighs. Despite receiving treatment at several local clinics, her condition did not improve, prompting her admission to the National Pediatric Hospital for intensive care. During hospitalization, her condition gradually improved with intensive wound care, including repeated debridement. However, secondary infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and superficial fungal infection (tinea) complicated her recovery. Following appropriate antimicrobial treatment and meticulous wound management, her condition significantly improved. Ultimately, the patient fully recovered, although she had persistent skin lesions for 41 days in total, including 21 days of outpatient care.
Conclusion
This case highlights the potential severity of jellyfish envenomation in children, including prolonged skin necrosis and secondary infections such as MRSA and tinea corporis. This underscores the need for timely recognition, proper wound care, and appropriate antimicrobial treatment. In Cambodia, where public awareness and clinical guidance on marine envenomation are limited, this report emphasizes the importance of education for both communities and healthcare providers.