A case of persistent exfoliative dermatitis induced by phenobarbital in a 10-year old girl

Authors: Guillan Antonio Isidro C. Catolico, MD Rogelio A. Balagat MD, FPCP, FPDS, FPRA

Abstract

Introduction: Exfoliative dermatitis (ED) is rare in children. Drugs, genodermatoses, and psoriasis are the usual triggers. Management is mainly supportive. Proper identification of the underlying cause is important in persistent and refractory ED.

Case Summary: We report a newly-diagnosed epileptic 10-year old girl who developed generalized erythema and scaling 2 weeks after initiating phenobarbital. She had no history of dermatoses and allergy. Serial skin biopsies revealed an inflammatory pathology. Over the course of 3 months, she had 3 confinements for symptomatic treatment. The erythroderma persisted despite stopping phenobarbital. She missed her subsequent follow-ups. Two months later, the ED spontaneously resolved.

Conclusion: ED is an uncommon presentation of drug eruption. It is rare in children. Most drug reactions clear within 2 weeks of discontinuing the drug. Phenobarbital is a cause of persistent ED. Drug-induced ED confers a good prognosis.

 

Citation

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Keywords

Exfoliative, Drug, Dermatitis

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