Stevens-Johnson syndrome in children

The concept of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) in children is evolving. This manuscript reviews recent advances with the lens of new terminology namely infection-triggered reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption and drug-induced epidermal necrolysis, with the objective of integrating this novel terminology practically.

Traditionally considered to exist on a spectrum with toxic epidermal necrolysis, SJS in children is more often caused or triggered by infections instead of medications. Proposed pediatric-specific terminology can be applied to literature to gain further insights into blistering severe cutaneous adverse reactions.

Distinguishing infection-triggered from drug-triggered blistering reactions is useful for 3 main reasons: (1) early clinically recognizable different features such as isolated or predominant mucositis, (2) different initial management depending on trigger, (3) avoiding the label of a drug reaction on cases triggered by infection.