Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
Aka: Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, Henoch Schonlein Purpura, Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura, Henoch Schoenlein Purpura, HSP, IgA Vasculitis, Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis
II. Epidemiology
- Children and young adults
- Most common acute Vasculitis in children
- Peak Incidence at 5 year old
- Ages 2-11 years represent 75-90% of cases
- Milder case occur in children under age 2 years
- Occurs more often in boys (2:1)
- Incidence: 14 cases per 100,000
- Occurs most frequently in spring and fall
III. Pathophysiology
- Upper Respiratory Infection precedes in 60-75% cases
- Acute immune complex-mediated Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis
- Idiopathic inflammatory IgA hypersensitivity
- Petechiae and Purpura
- IgA immune complexes deposit in small vessel walls of skin
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
- IgA immune complexes deposit in small vessel walls of intestinal wall
- Crescentic Glomerulonephritis
- IgA immune complexes deposit in small vessel walls of renal mesangium
- Petechiae and Purpura
IV. Associated Conditions (preceding HSP)
- Bacterial Infections
- Group A Streptococcus (most common – may be responsible for 30% of cases)
- Bartonella Henselae
- Campylobacter enteritis
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Mycoplasma
- Haemophilus parainfluenza
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Viral Infections
- Vaccinations
- Typhoid
- Measles
- Cholera
- Yellow Fever
- Environmental exposures
- Allergens in drugs and foods
- Cold exposure
- Insect Bites
V. Symptoms: Classic Triad (beyond rash, triad is not uniformly present)
- Palpable Purpura rash on lower extremities (gravity dependent regions)
- Abdominal Pain or renal involvement (Nephritis)
- Arthritis or Arthralgias
VI. Signs: Rash (100% of cases)
- Timing
- Distribution
- Gravity and pressure dependent
- Typically appears on extensor surfaces of lower extremities, belt line and buttocks
- Can involve face and trunk
- Characteristics: Petechiae or palpable Purpura (primary lesion type)
- Characteristics: Other associated lesions
- Urticarial wheels
- Erythematous Macules
- Erythematous Papules
- Target lesions
- May appear similar to Erythema Multiforme
VII. Signs: Abdominal Pain (60-80% of cases)
- Diffuse, Colicky Abdominal Pain (may mimic Acute Abdomen)
- Abdominal Pain onset typically follows rash
- Stools may show occult or gross blood
- Hematuria
- Vomiting or Hematemesis (rarely severe) in up to 30% of patients
VIII. Signs: Joint Involvement (70% of cases)
- Arthritis precedes rash in 25% of cases
- Transient Arthritis with no permanent deformity
- Non-Migratory polyarthritis
IX. Signs: Renal Disease (25-50% of cases)
- General
- Most serious complication of HSP
- Risk Factors
- Age over 10 years
- Persistent Purpura
- Severe Abdominal Pain
- Relapsing episodes
- Presentation
- Develops within 3 months of rash (typically within first month and rarely beyond 6 months)
- Hematuria most common presenting sign (also accompanied by red cell casts and Proteinuria)
X. Complications (more common in adults)
- Cardiopulmonary conditions
- Gastrointestinal conditions
- Intussusception (mural hematoma is lead point) in 5% of cases
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Bowel infarction
- Neurologic conditions
- Seizures
- Mononeuropathies
- Renal disorders: Crescentic glomeruloneprhitis
- Male genitourinary conditions
XI. Differential Diagnosis (based on predominant presenting symptom)
- Purpura
- Hypersensitivity Vasculitis
- Elevated Renal Function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
- Global organ involvement
- Meningococcal Meningitis or Septicemia
- Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Child Abuse
- Bacterial Endocarditis
- Rheumatic Fever
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Drug Reactions
- Polyarteritis Nodosa
- Leukemia
- Kawasaki Disease
- Hypersensitivity Vasculitis
- Arthritis
- Abdominal Pain
- Acute Abdomen
- Familial Mediterranean Fever
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
XII. Diagnosis: International Consensus Conference
- Major criteria (required)
- Palpable Purpura in the absence of Thrombocytopenia
- Minor criteria (requires 1 of the following)
- Diffuse Acute Abdominal Pain
- Biopsy showing predominant IgA deposition
- Arthritis or Arthralgia involving any joint
- Renal involvement presenting as Proteinuria or Hematuria
XIII. Labs: Initial
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Leukocytosis with Eosinophilia
- Platelets may be elevated
- Low Platelets suggest Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Sedimentation rate (ESR) variably elevated
- Urinalysis: Nephritis evaluation (nephrology evaluation if positive)
- Most important lab in suspected HSP
- Hematuria or Proteinuria in up to 50% of patients (risk of ESRD in 1% of patients over subsequent months)
- Stool Guaiac
- Occult or gross blood may be present
- Renal Function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
- Obtain if positive urine for Hematuria or Proteinuria
- Elevation may suggest Hypersensitivity Vasculitis
- Coagulation Studies (PTT and INR)
- Normal in HSP
- Consider in differential diagnosis for Purpura
XIV. Labs: Other
- Consider ASO Titer
- Consider Blood Culture (in differential diagnosis for Purpura)
XV. Labs: Histology
- Skin Biopsy
- Renal Biopsy
- Glomerular crescents
- Indistinguishable from IgA Nephropathy
XVI. Imaging
- Not routinely indicated
- Abdominal Ultrasound or CT Abdomen
- Indicated for concurrent gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of alternative diagnosis
- Barium Enema
- Indicated if Intussusception is suspected
XVII. Management
- Supportive care (Primary strategy)
- Hydration
- Relative rest
- Elevate legs (may reduce Purpura)
- Joint Pain
- NSAIDs (with caution)
- Risk of renal disease
- Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- NSAIDs (with caution)
- Nephritis (Hematuria or Proteinuria)
- Nephrology Consultation
- Renal biopsy
- Children with mild to moderate renal disease
- Systemic Corticosteroids (see below)
- Adults and children with moderate to severe disease
- High dose Corticosteroids with immunosuppressants (e.g. Azathioprine, Cyclophosphamide) or
- High dose IV Ig
- Plasmapheresis
XVIII. Management: Systemic Corticosteroids
- Indications
- Children with renal involvement
- Children with severe extrarenal symptoms (e.g. Abdominal Pain, Joint Pain)
- Scrotal swelling
- Dosing
- Prednisone 1-2 mg/kg orally daily for two weeks
XIX. Management: Hospitalization indicated
- Severe dehydration
- Intractable pain or Abdominal Pain requiring serial examination and observation
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
XX. Course
- Onset over days to weeks
- Duration: 4-6 weeks
- Recurrence in 50% of patients
XXI. Prognosis
- Excellent in general
- Resolves spontaneously in 94% of children
- Resolves spontaneously in 89% of adults
- Renal Disease develops in 5% (<1% develop ESRD)
- Although up to 50% will have Hematuria or Proteinuria
- Predictors of serious nephropathy or ESRD
XXII. Monitoring: Renal involvement screening
- Blood Pressure initially and at each subsequent visit following the HSP diagnosis
- If first Urinalysis is normal (or isolated Hematuria)
- Monthly Urinalysis for 6 months after HSP diagnosis
- If any Urinalysis suggests nephritis (Hematuria and Proteinuria)