Eczema herpeticum (EH) can be a life-threatening condition. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial. In this article, we retrospectively assessed the use of screening complete blood count (CBC) to differentiate EH from bacterial skin infection and eczema exacerbation in children who were hospitalized for atopic dermatitis (AD). Children with EH had consistent leukopenia and lymphopenia, relative to the comparison groups as well as standard references.
Keywords: CBC; acyclovir; eczema herpeticum; leukopenia; lymphopenia; neutropenia.