Epidermal Necrolysis in Children: Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis: An International Retrospective Multicenter Study (ChildTEN Study)
Bérénice Mouton, Saskia Ingen-Housz-Oro, Léa Jaume, Marie-Louise Lovgren, Lauren Passby, Sanita Zigure, Helen Hoenck, Rannakoe Lehloenya, Angela Tewari, Brigitte Milpied, Clémentine Toussaint, Carmen Salvastru, Frederic Dezoteux, Léa Dehame, Tania Adam, Claire Bernier, Claire Cariou, Florence Tetart, Smail Hadj-Rabia, Christine Bodemer, Anne Welfringer-MorinThis international retrospective multicenter study (ChildTEN) analyzed 56 children with confirmed epidermal necrolysis (EN) across 56 centers between January 2017 and October 2024, characterizing its triggers, clinical course, and outcomes with rigorous exclusion of erythema multiforme and RIME. Drugs accounted for nearly half of cases and Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the leading infectious trigger, while younger children (under 6 years) showed more severe disease; despite a low 3-month mortality of 5%, three-quarters of patients had persistent sequelae at 6 months and 30% were unable to resume regular schooling. No significant benefit of immunomodulatory therapies was observed, underscoring the need for improved management strategies in this vulnerable pediatric population.