Hemolytic Anemia: A Rare Side Effect Related with IVIG Therapy in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is commonly used as replacement therapy in immunodeficiency disorders and in higher doses for certain autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Dermatomyositis, Kawasaki disease, pyoderma gangrenosum, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis, pemphigus group and bullous pemhigoid are the most common indications for IVIG treatment. Common side effects of IVIG include headache, flu-like symptoms, nausea, chills, rash, backache, and hypotension. Rare serious adverse events, including anaphylaxis, acute renal failure, aseptic meningitis, transfusion-related acute lung injury, and thrombo-embolic events may also ocur. Only a few cases of hemolytic anemia associated with IVIG therapy have been reported to date. We present a case of hemolytic anemia after IVIG therapy in a patient with SJS.

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