title: Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome: report of 2 cases from Kuwait.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To illustrate the clinical features, laboratory findings, and management of anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS), emphasizing the importance of recognizing its multiple clinical components and raising awareness of the cross-sensitivity among different anticonvulsants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cases of AHS due to carbamazepine and a combination of sodium valproate and lamotrigene are reported. Both patients presented within the first month of starting the new antiepileptic medication with fever, skin rashes, hematological abnormalities, and hepatitis. The offending antiepileptic drugs were immediately stopped in both cases. Skin rashes responded to intravenous immunoglobulin in case 1 and to intravenous hydrocortisone in case 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AHS is a serious, life-threatening condition. This report demonstrates that the most important steps in the management of AHS are to recognize the disorder, discontinue the offending antiepileptic drug, and provide supportive care in an inpatient setting and treat with benzodiazepines if seizures occur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Al Adan Hospital, Kuwait. hnakhi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hanan A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Bin-Nakhi
authors.forename: Sameera
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sadeq
authors.forename: Raimond G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Habeeb
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077213:Lamotrigine