Toxic epidermal necrolysis after therapeutic plasma exchange in pediatric lupus patients and associated risk factors analysis

Abstract

Background

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an effective means of treating systemic lupus erythematosus in children and is safe for most pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, but severe complications such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) may occur, which is a life-threatening condition.

Methods

In this study, three systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) children developed toxic epidermal necrolysis after TPE. We analyzed their medical history, clinical manifestations, SLEDAI scores, and immunological characteristics, compared to 117 cases of SLE patients without TEN after TPE, trying to find the possible risk factors.

Results

The three children with TEN after plasma exchange appeared to have a higher proportion of male (male: female = 2:1), fever (100% Vs 32.5%), erythema on the cheek (100% Vs 54.7%), itching rash (100% Vs 54.7%), ruptured rash (100% Vs 54.7%), oral ulcer (100% Vs 54.7%) and higher LDH level (1826.0 ± 1113.1 Vs 721.1 ± 799.5 U/L), but lower white blood cell count (5.5 ± 3.3 Vs 7.2 ± 4.2 × 10⁹/L), neutrophil count (4.7 ± 3.7 Vs 5.2 ± 3.6 × 10⁹/L), lymphocyte count (0.6 ± 0.5 Vs 1.5 ± 0.8 × 10⁹/L), platelet count (133.7 ± 58.1 Vs 178.5 ± 103.1 × 10⁹/L) and C-reactive protein (all normal Vs 47.9% elevated). Autoantibody spectrum revealed that positive anti-SSA seemed more common (100% Vs 42.7%) in the three children. Relative risk analysis revealed that male (OR 21.4, 95%CI 1.78–257.186), ruptured skin rash (OR 56.5, 95%CI 4.199–760.196) and rash with itching (OR 24, 95%CI 1.98–290.896) are the risk factors of SLE patients developing TEN after plasma exchange.

Conclusions

We should pay particular attention to TEN after plasma exchange in SLE patients (3/120, 2.5%). This condition may be related to male, ruptured skin rash and rash with itching. For SLE patients with risk factors. We should arrange plasmapheresis more carefully.