[Retrospective analysis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura in children: diagnostic difficulties and renal outcome].

OBJECTIVE

To assess clinical presentation, diagnostic difficulties, natural history and prognostic indicators of renal involvement of Henoch Schönlein Purpura, a ten-years retrospective analysis of all patients case records was performed.

METHODS

After a variable interval of 1 to 10 years following the vasculitic episode all the children came to the outpatient clinic for history taking, clinical examination, blood pressure measurements, urine analysis and renal function assessment.

RESULTS

54 children, mean age 5.9 +/- 2.5, were identified. The purpuric rash was associated with arthritis in 46 patients (85%), abdominal pain in 28 (51.8%), temperature > 38 degrees C in 11 (20%). The purpuric rash was present at on presentation in 39 subjects (72%) whereas in 15 children (28%) it followed the subsequent signs or symptoms that were arthritis in 8 (53.3%), joint pain in 2 (13.3%), abdominal pain in 5 (30.3%). Abdominal pain was the only symptom of presentation in 5 patients; two of them underwent surgical laparotomy.