Background: High dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) have emerged as a promising new therapy for treating the rare but potentially fatal drug reaction toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Experimental in vitro studies support the view that IVIG can block the fas-fas ligand mediated apoptosis in TEN.
Methods: Ten pediatric patients of TEN were treated with IVIG (0.05 - 0.1 gm/kg/day) along with antibiotics and supportive care.
Results: Patients with 67% of mean body surface area of involvement showed an average of 2.1 days for arrest of progression of lesions and 8.1 days for complete reepithelization. There was no mortality.
Conclusions: Low dose IVIG appears to be a safe and effective treatment for TEN in children. Randomized trials are needed to further evaluate the efficacy of IVIG and compare it with other therapeutic modalities.