[Severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome in 4 children]

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an acute, self-limiting disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are all part of a single spectrum illness. We report severe erythema multiform in 4 children aged from 6 to 15 years old. Erythema was mostly related to mycoplasma pneumoniae infection (3/4) and 1 case was attributed to drugs. Two children developed severe sequelae (obliterans bronchiolitis). No patient had recurrent disease. The early use of steroids is still debated, but in our experience it seems to benefit overall. A long term follow-up is necessary with the study of pulmonary function tests and chest X-rays ophtalmologic and dermatologic examination.