CARBAMAZEPINE INDUCED STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME- A CASE REPORT

Stevens Johnson’s syndrome is an exfoliative dermatitis with severe erosions of atleast two mucosal surfaces including extensive necrosis of oral and nasal mucosa and purulent conjunctivitis,but less commonly involving vaginal, urethral, gastro intestinal or respiratory mucosal membranes. The Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare immune-complex-mediated hypersensitivity disorder which affects 7 cases per million persons per year. This article describes a case study of a 12 year old female patient who was admitted to the tertiary care hospital,Chennai (India) with chief complaints of fever,malaise,sore throat,flu like symptoms and heavy body pain since 4 days. Burning sensation,edema,erythema of lips & buccal mucosa followed by development of bullae,ulcerations,hemorrhagic gusting since 2 days. Past history of medication revealed early clinical course of Carbamazepine for seizure prior to admission to the hospital. Based on signs and symptoms,with causality assessment analysis diagnosis of drug induced Stevens Johnson syndrome was confirmed. In the scarcity of evidence of effective treatment, patient was managed with symptomatic therapy and supportive care. As Stevens- Johnson syndrome is a potentially fatal multiorgan disease with a strong etiologic link to some medications, one must have a high index of suspicion to be able to diagnose and treat patients with SJS in time and must therefore consider Stevens-Johnson syndrome as a potential complication of treatment.