CARBAMAZEPINE-INDUCED SKIN RASH IN CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY

The clinical and epidemiological findings in children with epilepsy wh o experienced skin rashes induced by carbamazepine (CBZ) were prospect ively evaluated. Thirty-three (9.9%) of 335 patients who received CBZ therapy experienced a skin rash. Seven had diffuse erythema, 13 miliar y exanthema, 11 maculopapular or speckled reddish rash, 3 petechiae, a nd 2 mucocutaneous syndrome. A skin rash was more frequent in older ch ildren (over 6 years old). The skin rashes appeared soon after initiat ion of the therapy, i.e., from the 8th to 60th day (mean: 14.3 +/- 9.6 days) after the start of CBZ therapy and disappeared within a few day s after discontinuation of the therapy. Haematological abnormalities ( 30.3%), such as leucocytopenia and thrombocytopenia, and hepatic dysfu nction (27.3%) sometimes appeared concomitantly with the skin rash. CB Z is an effective and safe antiepileptic drug, but careful management is necessary on initiation of the therapy.