Toxic epidermal necrolysis in an infant induced by drug intake through breast milk

• Main Authors: Yeh-Ni Chu, Ming-Sheng Lee, Shun-Cheng Yang, Hui-Chun Tai, Wen-Hung Chung, Tsu-Man Chiu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Dermatologica Sinica
• Subjects: Breastfeeding; granulysin quick screen test; infant; lymphocyte transformation test; toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Online Access: http://www.dermsinica.org/article.asp?issn=1027-8117;year=2019;volume=37;issue=2;spage=86;epage=89;aulast=Chu

Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions, and SJS/TEN in infancy is rare. Here, we present a case of a 4-month-old infant with generalized exanthema, flaccid blisters, and mucosal erosions. He was diagnosed with TEN within 2 days using a granulysin quick screen test and subsequently verified with histopathologic findings. Transmission of cephalexin through breastfeeding was suspected to be a possible cause based on drug history, breastfeeding history, and lymphocyte transformation test. The patient survived with only skin hyperpigmentation remaining.