Affiliations 

  • 1 Zurina Zainudin, MRCPCH. Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. zurina@medic.upm.edu.my / zue.zurina@gmail.com
  • 2 O Elizawaty, MBChB. Paediatric Department, Hospital Serdang, Jalan Puchong, 43000 Kajang, Selangor.
  • 3 S Thevarajah, MMed. Dermatology Department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Pahang, 50586 Kuala Lumpur.
  • 4 O Norlijah, MRCP. Paediatric Department of Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor.
Med J Malaysia, 2012 Feb;67(1):105-7.
PMID: 22582558

Abstract

Dapsone syndrome is a potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction to sulphone. We report a 12-year-old girl who developed high grade fever associated with intense jaundice, exfoliative skin rash and hepatomegaly after five weeks of starting the multidrug regimen for the treatment of Hansen's disease. Laboratory investigations revealed presence of leucocytosis with eosinophilia, deranged liver enzymes and an abnormal coagulation profile. Immediate cessation of the offending drug and administration of steroid proved successful. A high level of clinical awareness is fundamental for early diagnosis of dapsone syndrome as initiation of a prompt treatment may lead to rapid recovery.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.