Silver sulphadiazine-induced haemolytic anaemia in a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient burn patient.

A 20-year-old soldier sustained 35 per cent body surface area burns by open flames. He was treated with topical application of 1 per cent silver sulphadiazine (SSD) twice daily. Four days postburn he developed acute haemolytic anaemia. Withdrawal of SSD was followed by complete recovery. A glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency was proven by pathological Motulski tests. Although the hazards of SSD are well indicated by the manufacturers, there appear to be no written reports of haemolysis induced by this drug in G6PD-deficient patients.