title: Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: infection or hypersensitivity reaction?
abstract: Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome is a potentially life-threatening delayed hypersensitivity reaction characterized by the triad of fever, rash and multiorgan involvement, which usually occurs within the first weeks of introduction of an antiepileptic drug. It mimics several life-threatening diseases, which makes it potentially difficult to recognize. We describe the case of a 6-year-old boy admitted with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome after the association of lamotrigine treatment with sodium valproic acid for reluctant epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Critical Care Department and Cerebral Resuscitation Research Group of the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Alexandra.Dreesman@uzbrussel.be
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dreesman
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoorens
authors.forename: Said
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hachimi-Idrissi
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077213:Lamotrigine