Corticosteroid treatment of erythema multiforme major (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) in children.
The effectiveness of systemic corticosteroids in erythema multiforme major (EMM) is controversial. We therefore evaluated the efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of EMM in a prospective study of 16 children with EMM admitted to our department within 3 days from the onset of rash. Ten patients (group A) received bolus infusions of methylprednisolone (4 mg/kg/day) while six had only supportive treatment (group B). The early use of corticosteroids compared to supportive treatment resulted in: (1) significant reduction of the period of fever (4.0 +/- 1.9 vs 9.5 +/- 4.2 days P = 0.01); (2) reduction of the period of acute eruption (7.0 +/- 3.3 versus 9.8 +/- 3.0 days P = 0.08); and (3) milder signs of prostration. Complications were minimal in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The early and short course of corticosteroids favourably influences the course of erythema multiforme major in children.
Kakourou
T
T
First Department of Paediatrics, Athens University, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Greece.
Klontza
D
D
Soteropoulou
F
F
Kattamis
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone