DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) syndrome induced by lamotrigine in a child

ABSTRACT

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare and severe adverse drug reaction characterized by the cutaneous eruption, fever, eosinophilia, and involvement of internal organs. It is commonly caused by aromatic anticonvulsant drugs and antibiotics in children. In this study, we presented a case of a 9-year-old boy with bipolar disorder, who developed DRESS syndrome after lamotrigine intake for 10 days. Thereafter, lamotrigine was discontinued, and systemic corticosteroid treatment was pursued for 18 days. After 3 months, a patch test for lamotrigine was performed as a confirmatory test to check drug reaction. Reports of DRESS syndrome in adults have increased over the past decade due to the increasing use of lamotrigine as a new aromatic anticonvulsant. Although there are only a few lamotrigine-related DRESS syndrome reports in children, caution is needed with its potential widespread use in the future.