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Henoch Schonlein Purpura



- Discussion:
    - a vasculitis of unknown etilogy;
    - mean age of onset is 6 years;
    - small vessel vasculitis involving:
    - skin:
         - rash is typically from the waist down;
         - rash begins w/ urticaria but quickly turns to petechiae and then to purpura;
    - joints
         - most often affects knees and ankles;
         - is usually painful, and relieved w/ non steroidals;
         - arthritis typically lasts less than 6 weeks;
    - gut:
         - severe episodic abdominal pain and hematochezia;
         - occassionally, intussusception occurs;
    - kidneys:
         - microscopic hematuria is the most common manifestation;
         - rarely renal failure may occur



Review Article: Current Concepts: Polyarthritis and Fever.