lntroduction: Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute inflammatory hypersensitivity reaction of skin

and mucous membranes that usually develop due to infections and drugs and can be seen in all

age groups. Few studies has been reported in chilhood. in this study we aimed to evaluate the

patientswith EM in ourclinic.

Material And Method: 16 patients who were hospitalized with diagnosis of EM between July

2003-June 2004 were evaluated retrospectively in terms of clinical findings, etiology, treatment

and prognosis.

Results and Discussion: Eleven mele ( 68.8%) and 5 female patient were enrolled and the age

renge was between 8 months -16 years (mean 5.7 years c 53. l month). While the lesions were

limited to the skin in 81.2% of the patients, mucosal involvement was accompanied in 18.8% of

the patients. Underlying etiological factors of EM were mastly infections followed by drugs and

vaccination in only one patient. However, ın 18.8% of the patients, no definitive cause was

determined. Skin biopsies were teken in 3 patients with suspicious lesions. Pathological

examinations revealed EM, leukocytoclastic vasculitis and superficial perivascular dermatitis

respectively in these patients. While all patients received systemic antihistaminic, 9 of them were

given steroid and five were given clarithromyein additionally.

it is sometimes difficult to determine the etiology of EM in pediatric patients because of infections

and drug usage at the seme time. Skin biopsy may be done in patients with uncertain lesi ons forthe

differential diagnosis of EM. Although steroid therapy is stili debated in treatment of EM, it may be

useful in the treatment of severe patients.

Keywords: Childhood, etiology, erythema multiforme.