Henoch-Schoenlein syndrome in children: experience from southern part of Saudi Arabia.

This is a retrospective study of 55 children with Henoch-Schoenlein syndrome (HSS) admitted to Asir Central Hospital in the southern part of Saudi Arabia from September 1988 to September 1994. Of the 55 children studied, 29 were girls and 26 were boys with the ratio of 1.1:1. The ages ranged from eight months to 18 years with a mean of 8.6 +/- 5 years. Seventy three percent of our patients were older than five years at initial presentation. Most of the cases occurred between July and January. Hundred percent had the typical rash, 78% had abdominal pain on presentation with significant gastrointestine bleed in 11%. Seventy six percent had joint pain or discomfort. Twenty percent had renal involvement on initial presentation. Recurrence of HSS occurred in 13%. Our study does not show any major regional differences, except the fact that our patients seems to be older at time of presentation.