Stevens-Johnson syndrome after serial-C medication.

Abstract

The Stevens-Johnson syndrome (erythema exudativum multiforme) an eruptive disorder of the skin and mucous membranes with acute systemic reaction is described in a 15-year old girl after 14 weeks of medication with the anovulant Serial-C (.1 mg ethinyl oestradiol .1-1 mg megestrol acetate). She was hospitalized because of painful ulceration of the mouth and throat but soon developed vesicular lesions conjunctivities dysphagia genital inflammation bilateral basal bronchopneumonic consolidation fever and tachycardia. Complete recovery occurred after 31 days of hospitalization with steroid treatment but a minor recurrence occurred 1 week later. An allergic hypersensitivity to the oestrogen progesterone or both hormones is postulated as the likely cause of the syndrome in this case. Steroids are commonly given systemically and orally in syndrome treatment.