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Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy
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Procalcitonin, a high acute phase reactant in antiepileptic hypersentivity syndrome in pediatric age

Verónica Cantarín-Extremera1, Cristina Castaño-De La Mota, Javier Alvarez-Coca

  • 1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Avd. Menéndez Pelayo 65, 28009 Madrid, Spain. verocantarin@hotmail.com

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology : EJPN : Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
|July 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Antiepileptic hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) in children can be severe. This study reports the first pediatric cases of AHS with high procalcitonin (PCT) levels, highlighting its potential role in diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Clinical Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antiepileptic hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is a severe condition in children, often linked to anticonvulsant drugs and antibiotics.
  • While its pathogenesis remains unclear, AHS presents with diverse symptoms including skin reactions, fever, and lymphadenopathy, potentially affecting multiple organs.
  • Elevated procalcitonin (PCT) has been noted in adult AHS cases, but its significance in pediatric AHS is less understood.

Observation:

  • Laboratory findings in AHS can include leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and elevated transaminases.
  • Significant procalcitonin (PCT) elevation has been noted in adult AHS cases.
  • This report details two pediatric cases (14-year-old male, 13-year-old female) exhibiting AHS with markedly high PCT levels.

Findings:

  • These represent the first documented cases of elevated procalcitonin in pediatric patients with Antiepileptic hypersensitivity syndrome.
  • The findings suggest PCT may serve as a biomarker for AHS severity in children.
  • The observed high PCT levels in pediatric AHS warrant further investigation.

Implications:

  • Accurate diagnosis of AHS is crucial to prevent exposure to the causative agent.
  • Prompt withdrawal of the implicated drug is the primary treatment for AHS.
  • Systemic corticosteroids may be necessary for patients who do not improve or deteriorate after drug withdrawal.

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