Rescue treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and amniotic membrane dressing in refractory paediatric pemphigus vulgaris with sepsis.

ABSTRACT

We report a case of refractory paediatric pemphigus vulgaris with sepsis, treated successfully with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and amniotic membrane dressing. The patient was initially started on oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) and dapsone 50 mg once daily. Azathioprine 50 mg orally was then used in place of dapsone due to rapid disease progression with extensive skin involvement. However, the patient developed sepsis and azathioprine had to be discontinued. Because of rapidly progressive disease and sepsis, the patient was put on IVIG at a dose of 2 g/kg in divided doses over 3 days along with amniotic membrane dressing. There was marked improvement after 2 weeks of follow-up.