Prognosis

Prognosis is best when:

  • Patients are <50 years of age

  • The total body surface area involved is low

  • Patients are transferred to a burn center

  • Patients do not have sepsis

  • Patients do not require antibiotics

  • Patients do not have pulmonary issues.

One study of pediatric patients with SJS or TEN admitted to a US hospital between 2000 and 2007 reported that 18% had a recurrence of SJS up to 7 years after the initial episode, and 47% had long-term sequelae. The mortality rate was lower than that reported in adults.[100][101]

One retrospective study of 189 children with SJS over a 29-year period in Thailand reported complications in 20%.[102]

SJS

The majority of patients recover, although they may develop some ocular or organ complications residual to the disease; mortality is 1% to 5%.

SJS/TEN overlap

The majority of patients recover, although they may develop some complications of ocular or organ origin.

TEN

The majority of patients recover, although they may develop some ocular or organ complications residual to the disease; mortality is 25% to 35%.

In a multicenter study of 199 TEN patients, 64 died. Of the deaths, one third were due to sepsis, one third to multiple organ failure, 14% to cardiopulmonary complications, and 16% were attributed to other causes. Of the 135 survivors, 66% went home, 14% went on to rehabilitation, 7.3% went to an intermediate-care facility, and 7.3% returned to their referring physician.[103]

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