Prognostic significance of urinary findings and renal biopsies in children with Henoch-Schönlein nephritis.

Clinical course and renal biopsy were evaluated as predictors of renal outcome in 21 children with Henoch-Schönlein nephritis. Persisting heavy proteinuria and severe glomerular changes most accurately predicted those patients who were likely to develop renal failure. Renal biopsy is recommended only in patients with a nephrotic or nephritic/nephrotic picture.