title: Stevens-johnson syndrome associated with drugs and vaccines in children: a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is one of the most severe muco-cutaneous diseases and its occurrence is often attributed to drug use. The aim of the present study is to quantify the risk of SJS in association with drug and vaccine use in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicenter surveillance of children hospitalized through the emergency departments for acute conditions of interest is currently ongoing in Italy. Cases with a diagnosis of SJS were retrieved from all admissions. Parents were interviewed on child's use of drugs and vaccines preceding the onset of symptoms that led to the hospitalization. We compared the use of drugs and vaccines in cases with the corresponding use in a control group of children hospitalized for acute neurological conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine children with a diagnosis of SJS and 1,362 with neurological disorders were hospitalized between 1(st) November 1999 and 31(st) October 2012. Cases were more frequently exposed to drugs (79% vs 58% in the control group; adjusted OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.0-6.1). Anticonvulsants presented the highest adjusted OR: 26.8 (95% CI 8.4-86.0). Significantly elevated risks were also estimated for antibiotics use (adjusted OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.5-7.2), corticosteroids (adjusted OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.8-9.9) and paracetamol (adjusted OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.5-6.9). No increased risk was estimated for vaccines (adjusted OR: 0.9; 95% CI 0.3-2.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study provides additional evidence on the etiologic role of drugs and vaccines in the occurrence of SJS in children.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Raucci
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Da Cas
authors.forename: Concita
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rafaniello
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mores
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bersani
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reale
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pirozzi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menniti-Ippolito
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Traversa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014612:Vaccines