DRESS Syndrome: An Unusual Side Effect

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is often an overlooked entity manifesting as fatal hypersensitivity response associated with use of aromatic anti-epileptic drugs. This case report shows a case of a nine-year-old male child presenting with DRESS syndrome associated with the use of oral carbamazepine. The patient presented with high grade fever, rashes in exposed areas of face and all extremities not involving palms, soles, or oral mucosa, periorbital oedema, and cervical lymphadenopathy. Patient was managed with oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day. Later the drug was changed to oral levetiracetam. Clinicians should always consider the possibility of DRESS syndrome with the use of anti-epileptic drugs.