Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: infection or hypersensitivity reaction?

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome is a potentially life-threatening delayed hypersensitivity reaction characterized by the triad of fever, rash and multiorgan involvement, which usually occurs within the first weeks of introduction of an antiepileptic drug. It mimics several life-threatening diseases, which makes it potentially difficult to recognize. We describe the case of a 6-year-old boy admitted with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome after the association of lamotrigine treatment with sodium valproic acid for reluctant epilepsy.