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Cutaneous Drug Eruptions pp 431–444Cite as

Pediatric Drug Eruptions of the Skin

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Abstract

Cutaneous adverse cutaneous drug reactions (CADRs) are common among the pediatric population. Although they are rarely considered serious, CADRs account for approximately 35 % of all adverse drug reactions. Because viral exanthems are extremely common in children, clinicians are often faced with a diagnostic dilemma when children are taking many medications and present with a rash. If a child is taking numerous medications, establishing causality to a specific drug can be multifaceted and difficult. We discuss the most common pediatric drug eruptions according to the pattern of the cutaneous eruption: urticarial, exanthematous, pustular, and vesicobullous. We also include a miscellaneous group for completeness. Proper management of a CADR requires an efficient method of accurately estimating the probability of a drug association, determining the likelihood of a relapse with drug re-challenge, and relaying this information to patients and their families. A hasty diagnosis of a drug “allergy” will follow a child through his or her life, and possibly increase their exposure to more toxic medications unnecessarily. Unless a re-challenge is performed, the vast majority of CADRs in children can only be considered as possibly associated with a drug.

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  1. Pathology, University of Vermont, 111 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA

    Gretchen W. Frieling MD

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  1. Gretchen W. Frieling MD
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Correspondence to Gretchen W. Frieling MD .

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  1. Kansas City, Kansas, USA

    John C. Hall

  2. Miraca Life Sciences, Irving, Texas, USA

    Brian J. Hall

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Frieling, G.W. (2015). Pediatric Drug Eruptions of the Skin. In: Hall, J., Hall, B. (eds) Cutaneous Drug Eruptions. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6729-7_38

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6729-7_38

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-6728-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-6729-7

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