Idiopathic toxic epidermal necrolysis in a pediatric patient

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are potentially life-threatening cutaneous diseases that are rarely seen in the pediatric population. We describe a case of a 7-year-old female who presented with fever, cough, mucosal erosions, and a widespread maculopapular eruption with flaccid bullae for 4 days. She had no sick contacts and no new medications, supplements, or vitamins. She then rapidly developed ulcerations in her oral mucosa and genital area, numerous scattered tense bullae throughout her body, and patchy areas of desquamation. Infectious disease workup revealed positivity only for Bordetella parapertussis, and she was subsequently diagnosed with idiopathic toxic epidermal necrolysis.