Henoch-Schönlein Purpura: Clinical and Laboratory Features among different age group

Abstract

Introduction: Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is a systemic small vessel, leucocytoclastic vasculitis disese of children. Palpable purpura, abdominal pain and joint pain are classic triad of HSP. The common complications are gastrointestinal bleeding, nephritis and seizure disorder.

Methodology: A hospital based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2014 up to July 2017 in children aged 1 month to 14 years attending Kanti Children Hospital with a diagnosis of HSP. Detail history, clinical examination and outcome along with relevant investigations were recorded.

Results: Total 54 cases were enrolled in this study with mean age of 8.72 yr and male to female ratio was 1.7:1. The most common clinical manifestations were skin rash (100%) followed by abdominal pain and joint involvement (63.6% in ? 7 year group and 75% in >7year of age group of abdominal pain and joint pain 59% in less than 7 year group and 65.6% in more than 7 year group respectively). Hematuria was found in 9% and 12% cases in ?7 year and>7 year groups respectively. Gastrointestinal bleeding was found 9% in both age groups. Proteinuria was found in 4.5% of cases in less than 7 year group and 9%in >7 year group. Fever was found more common in younger children than older children which were statistically significant (27%vs6% with p-value 0.03).  Thrombocytosis was also found more common in younger children than older children though it was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:  Fever was found more common in younger age group. There were no significant differences of clinic-laboratory parameters except fever in young and older children in this study.