Childhood epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme major: a multicentre French cohort study of 62 patients

Introduction The distinction between epidermal necrolysis [EN; including Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and overlap syndrome] and erythema multiforme major (EMM) in children is confusing. We aimed to better describe and compare these entities. Materials and methods This French retrospective multicentre study included children ≤18 years old referred for EN or EMM between 1 January 2008 and 1 March 2019. According to pictures, children were reclassified into TEN/overlap, SJS or EMM/unclassified (SJS/EMM) groups and compared for epidemiological and clinical data, triggers, histology and follow‐up. Results We included 62 children [43 boys, median age 10 years (range 3–18)]: 16 with TEN/overlap, 11 SJS and 35 EMM. The main aetiologies were drugs in EN and infections (especially Mycoplasma pneumoniae) in EMM (P