HENOCH-SCHONLEIN PURPURA IN CHILDHOOD A FIFTEEN-YEAR EXPERIENCE AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with Henoch Sch6nlein purpura (HSP) and to compare them with other areas in the world.

METHODS

The medical records of children with HSP were retrospectively reviewed at the Jordan University Hospital between the years 1998 and 2012. The clinical and demographical features, laboratory tests, management and outcome were assessed.

RESULTS

There were 55 children with HSP, with a mean age of 7 years (60% were males); 85.4% of patients were less than 10 years; 72.7% of cases presented during the winter and autumn. There was a history of antecedent upper respiratory tract infection in 49.1% of cases; 32.7% of children had more than one hospitalization. Purpuric skin rash was seen in 100%, abdominal pain in 74.5%, arthritis in 58.2%, renal involvement in 30.9% of patients. In four patients HSP was the presenting feature of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

CONCLUSION

HSP is a benign and self-limiting disease with an excellent prognosis. There are no significant differences in the epidemiological and clinical profile than reported elsewhere.