Nicolau's syndrome induced by intramuscular vaccinations in children: report of seven patients and review of the literature
Summary Background. Nicolau’s syndrome (NiS), or embolia cutis medicamentosa, is a rare condition characterized by the acute onset of cutaneous and soft‐tissue necrosis following intramuscular drug injection. Intramuscular injections are the main route for vaccinations in children. Methods. This i...
Saved in:
Published in | Clinical and experimental dermatology Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 555 - 558 |
---|---|
Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Oxford, UK
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.09.2008
Blackwell |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | Summary
Background. Nicolau’s syndrome (NiS), or embolia cutis medicamentosa, is a rare condition characterized by the acute onset of cutaneous and soft‐tissue necrosis following intramuscular drug injection. Intramuscular injections are the main route for vaccinations in children.
Methods. This is a retrospective study of seven children (mean age 9.8 months) who developed NiS subsequent to intramuscular vaccination.
Results. The reactions were observed after different combinations of vaccine antigens, and were no more common after repeated than after primary injection of the respective vaccine. Three children developed scars without functional impairment, two made a full recovery, and the final outcome is unknown for four.
Conclusion. Given the high prevalence of intramuscular injections during infancy, NiS seems to be a rare event, but there is a possiblity of under‐reporting of less severe reactions. Our retrospective data do not allow a true risk assessment. The most worrying aspect of NiS, however, is its lack of predictability. As long as complete avoidance of the intramuscular route is not an option, it is obvious that NiS cannot be completely prevented. |
---|---|
Bibliography: | ArticleID:CED2861 ark:/67375/WNG-5S69VV0C-3 istex:056F9EFC58D2B9F87DB576EB2D7A828A470D7700 Conflict of interest: none declared. ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0307-6938 1365-2230 |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2008.02861.x |