Case report reveals successful management of a child with toxic epidermal necrolysis using vitamin A and corticosteroids, suggesting potential benefits of adjunctive therapies.
Background: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a life-threatening condition, often induced by medications, which causes widespread skin detachment and mucosal involvement. Immediate discontinuation of the causative drugs is essential for management. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 12-year-old boy who developed TEN following the administration of ceftriaxone and gentamicin. After diagnosis, these drugs were discontinued and the patient received standard care including hydration, prophylactic antibiotics, intravenous methylprednisolone, and wound care. In addition, this patient was given a single high dose of oral vitamin A (200,000 IU). The patient showed rapid recovery and was discharged without serious complications. Conclusions: Vitamin A is essential for the functioning of the immune system. This case highlights the potential benefit of using oral vitamin A as an adjunctive therapy in the management of TEN. Early recognition and prompt intervention are critical for improving outcomes. Further studies are necessary to assess the efficacy and safety of vitamin A in treating TEN.
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Karabuga et al. (2025) studied this question.
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