Triggers, clinical manifestations, and management of pediatric erythema multiforme: A systematic review.
J Am Acad Dermatol 2019;
81:813-822. [PMID:
31331726 DOI:
10.1016/j.jaad.2019.02.057]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute inflammatory mucocutaneous condition. EM is rarely described in children and infants.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the triggers, clinical manifestations, and treatment of pediatric EM.
METHODS
Systematic literature review of pediatric EM.
RESULTS
After full-text article review, we included 113 articles, representing 580 patients. The mean age was 5.6 years, ranging 0.1-17 years. Infectious agents were the main triggers: herpes simplex virus (HSV) in 104 patients (17.9%) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in 91 patients (15.7%). In total, 140 cases (24.1%) were drug-related and 89 cases (15.3%) had other triggers, such as vaccines (19 patients, 3.2%). In total, 229 patients had EM major (39.5%). Treatment was supportive care only (180 patients, 31.1%), systemic corticosteroids (115 patients, 19.8%), antivirals (85 patients, 14.6%), and antibiotics (66 patients, 11.3%), mostly macrolides (45 patients, 7.7%). Long-term sequelae were rare (1.3%). Pediatric EM was reported in 19 infants (3.2%). The main trigger was vaccination (9 patients). Infantile EM was EM major in 2 cases and EM minor in 17. Infants were less prone to develop EM major than older children (P < .01). Pediatric EM was recurrent in 83 cases (14.3%), which was triggered by HSV in 36 patients (61%). Recurrence affected older children.
LIMITATIONS
Potential confusion between Steven Johnson syndrome and EM major in addition to publication bias.
CONCLUSION
Pediatric EM is a rare disease, mainly triggered by infections. This condition can affect all mucosal surfaces, most commonly the oral mucosae. The diagnosis is clinical, and management relies on supportive care. Vaccines are a particular trigger in infants. Recurrent cases are most commonly linked to HSV. Dermatologists and pediatricians should be aware of this potentially recurrent and severe condition.
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