Case Report

Severe Systemic Hypersensitivity Reaction to Ibuprofen: a Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

STEVEN S. MOU, LYNN PUNARO, JORDI ANTÓN, and PETER M. LUCKETT

ABSTRACT.

We describe the first severe systemic hypersensitivity reaction to ibuprofen in a pediatric patient with previously undiagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). An 11-year-old Thai male presented with fever, rash, altered mental status, and hypotension after oral administration of ibuprofen leading to the diagnosis of SLE. Re-dosing with ibuprofen resulted in recurrence of presenting symptoms. Severe hypersensitivity with hypotension can be a rare consequence of the use of ibuprofen in children with collagen vascular disease. When encountered in an otherwise healthy child, a high index of suspicion must be maintained for the diagnosis of SLE. (J Rheumatol 2006; 33:171-2; First Release: Nov 15, 2005)

Key Indexing Terms:

IBUPROFEN
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS
PEDIATRICS
COLLAGEN VASCULAR DISEASE
SEVERE HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTION

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From the Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; the Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Dallas, Texas; and the Hospital de Sabadell, Corporació Parc Taul, Barcelona, Spain.

S.S. Mou, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School; L. Punaro, MD, Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Children's Medical Center of Dallas; J. Antón, MD, Hospital de Sabadell, Corporació Parc Taul; P.M. Luckett, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.

Address reprint requests to Dr. P.M. Luckett, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Children's Medical Center, Dallas 1935 Motor Street, Dallas, Texas, USA, 75235. E-mail: peter.luckett@childrens.com

Accepted for publication August 5, 2005.

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