Hemolytic anemia: A rare side effect related with IVIG therapy in Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is commonly used as replacement therapy in immunodeficiency disorders and in higher doses for certain autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Dermatomyositis, Kawasaki disease, pyoderma gangrenosum, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), pemphigus group and bullous pemhigoid are the most common indications for IVIG treatment. Common side effects of IVIG include headache, flu-like symptoms, nausea, chills, rash, backache, and hypotension. Rare serious adverse events, including anaphylaxis, acute renal failure, aseptic meningitis, transfusion-related acute lung injury, and thrombo-embolic events may also ocur. Only a few cases of hemolytic anemia associated with IVIG therapy have been reported to date. We present a case of hemolytic anemia after IVIG therapy in a patient with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).