Clinico-Epidemiological Profile and Treatment Outcome of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions in the Paediatric Age Group of 0 to 18 Years: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Southern India

Abstract

Introduction: The paediatric population is prone to developing cutaneous adverse drug reactions. However, the incidence of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions (SCAR) is rare in this age group, with few studies describing such reactions in detail. Aim: To describe the clinico-epidemiological factors, drug profile, laboratory parameters, and treatment outcomes of SCAR in children admitted to a tertiary care centre in South India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out over a 10-year period, including paediatric patients (0-18 years) admitted to Dermatology, Medicine, and Paediatric wards in the tertiary care centre. Demographic details, suspected drugs, comorbidities, personal and family history of drug reactions, physical examination, laboratory parameters, treatment received along with its duration, and the state of morbidity and mortality were recorded. SPSS version 18.0 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the demographics and clinical characteristics of the patients. Results: Among all the patients admitted with SCAR, 27 (15%) belonged to the paediatric age group. The median age was 15 years, and the female-to-male ratio was 1.25. Nineteen (70.3%) were diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), and eight (29.6%) were diagnosed with Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptom (DRESS). There were no cases of Acute Generalised Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP). The most common class of drugs implicated was antiepileptics (62.8%). Two patients (7%) had a family history of drug reactions. All patients had mucosal involvement. The majority of the children responded to intravenous steroids, and two required additional intravenous immunoglobulin injections for clinical improvement. All cases were cured with no mortality or long-term sequelae. Conclusion: The incidence of SCAR in the paediatric age group is significant. Anticonvulsants, particularly phenytoin, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine, need to be used with caution in this age group. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with systemic steroids can reduce mortality, morbidity, and long-term sequelae.