Guvenir H, et al. - The prevalence, as well as clinical features of antiepileptic drug (AED) hypersensitivity reactions during childhood, was determined. A rare occurrence of AED hypersensitivity reactions was reported. Since these reactions can cause life-threatening severe cutaneous drug reactions, they remain significant. Hence, close surveillance is a must for patients receiving AEDs, especially aromatic AEDs.

• Researchers followed patients who were prescribed an AED for the first time in their hospital during November 2015 and November 2016.
• Also, they assessed children who developed skin rash during this period.

• Researchers assessed a total of 570 patients.
• Data showed that the median age of the patients was 8.86 [(interquartile range (IQR): (4.2-13.7)] years, and 55.8% of patients (318/570) were male.
• Valproic acid (42%; n=285) and carbamazepine (20.4%; n=116) were documented as most frequently used AEDs.
• In 5.4% of patients, development of hypersensitivity reactions against AEDs was reported.
• Of these patients, cutaneous drug reaction and severe cutaneous drug reaction were noted in 71% (n=29) and 29% (n=9) of patients, respectively; 61.3% (n=19) were using aromatic type of AED, and the leading suspected AED was carbamazepine (45.2%).
• When patients who did and did not develop AED hypersensitivity were compared, it was found that hypersensitivity was more frequent among patients who were younger than 12 years old, who used aromatic AED, or who used multiple AED.
• Additionally, aromatic AED use significantly increased the risk of AED hypersensitivity (p<0.001), according to regression analysis results.