Drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is often manifested as severe systemic drug trans-reactions characterized by acute and extensive skin lesions (mostly measles-like rash), fever, enlargement of lymph nodes, multiple organ involvement (hepatitis, nephritis, and pneumonia), eosinophilia and mononucleosis,within 2-6 weeks of the application of sensitizing drugs. In the early stage of the lesion, macular papules or erythema multiforme were common, and in severe cases, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis were also common. Most of them developed after taking allergic drugs for 2-6 weeks (average: 3 weeks). Symptoms persisted after discontinuation of allergic drugs. It takes more than one month to alleviate, which may endanger life in severe cases. Documents report that the most common drugs causing DIHS are phenytoin sodium, carbamazepine and phenobarbital aromatic drugs. However, it was reported that phenobarbital sodium was the most common anticonvulsant among allergenic drugs in children, followed by antipyretics, analgesics and antibiotics, which may be related to the spectrum of childhood diseases and the particularity of the drug. Lamotrigine has been reported to cause DIHS in adults in China, but less in children. In order to improve the understanding of clinical diagnosis and treatment of DIHS in children, reduce misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, and untimely treatment, and prevent the aggravation of the disease, we studied the case of a 4-year-old 7-month-old girl who presented with systemic erythematous papules, fever, hepatosplenomegaly, marked increase of white blood cells, marked decrease of anemia and platelets, abnormal liver function and coagulation routine after taking lamotrigine for one month due to epilepsy seizures. Now, according to the DIHS diagnostic criteria established by Registration of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions Drug Review Group in 2007, plasma exchange was immediately given to replace the toxic metabolites in hemorrhagic plasma, and methylprednisolone was given intravenously for three days. At the same time, after symptomatic supportive treatments, such as loratadine and albumin, the condition gradually improved without recurrence. Through a case report of Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms in a child caused by lamotrigine, we can strengthen our understanding and improve the level of diagnosis and treatment of drug hypersensitivity syndrome in children. Lamotrigine can cause DIHS in children, which is very dangerous. Early diagnosis and early withdrawal of allergenic drugs, plasma exchange and glucocorticoid therapy are the key to treatment.
Anticonvulsants ; Carbamazepine ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Lamotrigine

A case of a 17-year-old nulligravid with onset of seizure episodes since menarcheis reported. She was diagnosed with Seizure Disorder treated with Phenobarbital and was seizure free for 2 years. Two years prior to consult, seizure recurrences were noted to coincide with menstruation, hence, was diagnosed with Catamenial Epilepsy. Patient was shifted to Lamotrigine but seizure exacerbations were still observed, prompting referral to the Reproductive Medicine service for adjunctive hormonal therapy. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate was added to the antiepileptic drug which provided seizure control. Adjunctive hormonal therapy proved to be helpful in the management of intractable seizures in this patient.

The report aims to give a better understanding of the neuroactive properties of estrogen and progesterone and its role in the development of Catamenial Epilepsy. Gender-related and psychosocial issues in the treatment of Epilepsy in the child-bearing years up to the menopause are also discussed.

Human ; Female ; Adolescent ; Anticonvulsants ; Seizures ; Progesterone ; Lamotrigine ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ; Menstruation ; Epilepsy ; Triazines ; Phenobarbital ; Menopause ; Estrogens ; Reproductive Medicine

A case of a 17-year-old nulligravid with onset of seizure episodes since menarcheis reported. She was diagnosed with Seizure Disorder treated with Phenobarbital and was seizure free for 2 years. Two years prior to consult, seizure recurrences were noted to coincide with menstruation, hence, was diagnosed with Catamenial Epilepsy. Patient was shifted to Lamotrigine but seizure exacerbations were still observed, prompting referral to the Reproductive Medicine service for adjunctive hormonal therapy. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate was added to the antiepileptic drug which provided seizure control. Adjunctive hormonal therapy proved to be helpful in the management of intractable seizures in this patient.

The report aims to give a better understanding of the neuroactive properties of estrogen and progesterone and its role in the development of Catamenial Epilepsy. Gender-related and psychosocial issues in the treatment of Epilepsy in the child-bearing years up to the menopause are also discussed.

Human ; Female ; Adolescent ; Anticonvulsants ; Seizures ; Progesterone ; Lamotrigine ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ; Menstruation ; Epilepsy ; Triazines ; Phenobarbital ; Menopause ; Estrogens ; Reproductive Medicine

BACKGROUND: Studies on the relationship between antiepileptic drug (AED) administration and clinical outcomes in patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) remain scarce. Levetiracetam (LEV) is an AED that is neuroprotective in various neurologic disorders. This study aimed to determine the impact of LEV on the outcome of MELAS. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center study was performed based on a large cohort of patients with MELAS with a history of seizures (n = 102). Decisions on antiepileptic therapies were made empirically. Patients were followed up for 1 to 8 years (median, 4 years) and divided into 2 groups based on whether LEV was administered (LEV or non-LEV). The modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores and mortality risks were analyzed in all patients. RESULTS: LEV, carbamazepine, benzodiazepines, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, valproate, and lamotrigine were administered in 48, 37, 18, 13, 11, 9, and 9 patients, singly or in combination, respectively. The mean mRS score of the LEV group (n = 48) was lower than that of the non-LEV group (n = 54; mean ± standard deviation, 2.79 ± 1.47 vs. 3.83 ± 1.93, P = 0.006) up to the end of the study. Nevertheless, there was no difference in the proportion of subjects without disability (mRS ranging 0-1) between the groups (P = 0.37). The multivariate regressions revealed that LEV treatment was associated with lower mRS scores (odds ratio 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.68, P = 0.003) and mortality rates (hazard ratio 0.24, 95% CI 0.08-0.74, P = 0.013). There was a significant difference in the Kaplan-Meier survival curves between the groups (χ = 4.29, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS The LEV administration is associated with lower mortality in patients with MELAS in this retrospective study. Further laboratory research and prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm whether LEV has neuroprotective effects on patients with mitochondrial diseases.
Acidosis, Lactic ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Adolescent ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Carbamazepine ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Lamotrigine ; therapeutic use ; Levetiracetam ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Oxcarbazepine ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Topiramate ; therapeutic use ; Valproic Acid ; therapeutic use