Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Baby Lovella  N. Bazar,

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Abstract:

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare skin reaction, usually related to drugs and associated with widespread destruction of the epidermis, characterized by mucous membrane erosions and blisters on limited areas of the skin, which is less than 10% of the total body surface area. The incidence of SJS, along with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), a closely related disease is approximately 2 cases per million persons per year and the overall mortality rate is 20%-25% (Gueudry, et.al). It is an acute systemic disease involving eruptions of the skin and mucous membranes that predispose patients to the life-threatening complications of sepsis which can be fatal. The patient with severe involvement often requires intensive multispecialty care. We present a 5-year old healthy female child who initially developed conjunctivitis and erythema of lips and buccal mucosa which later on progressed to purulent conjunctivitis, hemorrhagic lips and erythematous macules that rapidly and variably developed into central necrosis forming vesicles, bullae, and areas of denudation on the face, trunk and extremities.

This case aims to familiarize us with the most common presenting signs and symptoms of this condition, its possible complications and plan of management.