Henoch-Schonlein purpura

Background

• Most common vasculitis in childhood
• Most cases preceded by a URI
• Usually affects 2-11yr
• 5% of cases are a/w intussusception (abd vasculitis)
• Renal involvement is feared complication
• 95% recover completely after 3-4wk

Diagnosis

• Tetrad:
  • Palpable purpura (extremities, buttock)
  • Acute abdominal pain (diffuse, colicky)
    • Usually develops after onset of rash
  • Arthritis
    • Migratory, usually involves knees/ankles
  • Renal disease (50% of the time)

Palpable Purpura

• Rare manifestations
  • Melena, hematemesis, hepatosplenomegaly
  • Headache, seizures
  • Fever
  • Non-pitting edema of the extremities and face

Differential Diagnosis

• Erythema nodosum
• Intussusception
• Rheumatic fever
• Polyarteritis nodosa
• SLE
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Drug reaction

Pediatric Rash

• Atopic dermatitis
• Bed bugs
• Contact dermatitis
• Drug rash
• Erythema infectiosum (Fifth disease)
• Hand-foot-and-mouth disease
• Henoch-schonlein purpura (HSP)
• Herpangina
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Meningitis
• Measles
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Roseola infantum
• Rubella (German measles)
• Scabies
• Scarlet fever
• Smallpox
• Varicella (Chickenpox)

Work-Up

1. UA
   1. Hematuria, proteinuria
2. Chemistry
3. Consider stool guaiac if concern for melena

Treatment

• Supportive
• NSAIDs for pain, may worsen renal disease or GI disease
• consider prednisone 1mg/kg/day for severe arthralgias, abdominal or scrotal disease

Disposition

• Outpt management for most w/ rheum f/u

See Also

Pediatric Rashes

Source

• Rosen's, Tintinalli
• Images provided by University of Iowa Dept. of Dermatology
• First Aid for the Emergency Medicine Boards