Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Nephritis in Children: A Review

Abstract

Introduction:Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a small vessel vasculitis, the major manifestations of which include arthritis, non-thrombocytopenic purpura, abdominal pain and glomerulonephritis. It is one of the most common vasculitides of childhood and is considered to be self-limiting. But the renal involvement can result in life long problems. 1 Approximately 40%-50% children with HSP develop nephritis (HSPN) within 4-6 weeks of the initial presentation of which 1% to 17% progress to renal failure or end stage-renal disease (ESRD) . [2][3][4][5][6] HSP nephritis accounts for 5.1% of children with ESRD in Europe. 4 The manifestations of HSPN includes microscopic or macroscopic haematuria, mild or heavy proteinuria with or without nephrotic syndrome, renal failure and hypertension. 4 The renal lesion of HSPN is characteristically a focal and segmental proliferative glomerulonephritis. A broad correlation exists between the clinical presentation and the histological changes Review Articles Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Nephritis in Children: A Review