Necrotizing fasciitis

Absolute data for the incidence and prevalence of necrotizing fasciitis are lacking and may vary by geographic location. The incidence is higher in adults compared to children (estimated at 0.4 per 100,000 per year versus 0.08 to 0.13 per 100,000 per year).[21]Noor A, Krilov LR. Necrotizing fasciitis. Pediatr Rev. 2021 Oct;42(10):573-5.​ Type I (due to mixed anaerobic-facultative anaerobic infections) is more common than type II necrotizing fasciitis overall, whereas group A streptococcal type II necrotizing fasciitis is the most common in children.[21]Noor A, Krilov LR. Necrotizing fasciitis. Pediatr Rev. 2021 Oct;42(10):573-5.[22]Sarani B, Strong M, Pascual J, et al. Necrotizing fasciitis: current concepts and review of the literature. J Am Coll Surg. 2009 Feb;208(2):279-88. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19228540?tool=bestpractice.com ​​​​

US-based multisite surveillance data from 2021 shows that necrotizing fasciitis complicated about 4.5% of invasive group A streptococcal infections, with approximately 100 cases per year.[23]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Active bacterial core surveillance (ABCs) report. Emerging infections program network: group A streptococcus, 2021. Sep 2023 [internet publication]. https://www.cdc.gov/abcs/reports-findings/surv-reports.html The overall prevalence, incidence, and epidemiology remain stable.