Fatal toxic epidermal necrolysis induced by sodium valproate

A 26 years old manual labourer from Azad Jammu Kashmir presented with four days history of an extensive exfoliation of skin involving the entire body. Histology of the lesion showed epidermal necrolysis. The patient was a recently diagnosed case of epilepsy and had been started on therapy with sodium valproate three weeks ago. Following admission in our center, intensive care and wound care were instituted according to standard protocols. Despite all therapeutic measures the patient kept on deteriorating and developed multi-organ failure with pneumonia. He died on 7th day of hospitalization.