Abstract

AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON THE RECURRENCE OF HENOCH SCHOENLEIN PURPURA IN CHILDREN AT A SECONDARY CARE HOSPITAL

Lydia Mukanhaire, Xianguo Ren, Hongjun Peng and Xiaohui Zhou*

ABSTRACT

Henoch Schoenlein Purpura is the most predominant type of vasculitis in children. It manifests as a rash (palpable purpura) that is symmetrically distributed in the legs and may extend to the buttocks. Renal involvement in these patients is familiar and relapse episodes can occur. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between patient’s characteristics upon hospitalization and the relapse frequency in children with Henoch Schoenlein purpura. One hundred and thirty-five Chinese children seen at a secondary care hospital were enrolled in this study, mean age 10.25±3.39 years. The pathology of renal involvement was according to the International Study of Kidney Disease in Children criteria. Recurrence was defined as the occurrence of new cutaneous lesions or other systemic problems in a patient who had previously undergone treatment. Recurrence was observed in 66.3% patients; male to female ratio (2:1), and renal involvement was also observed in some patients. Statistically significant correlation existed between biopsy grade of patients with renal involvement(p<.001), gender(p<.001), age ranges(p=0.002) and treatment regimen (p<.001) in the frequency of recurrent episodes. Age and the severity of this disease may serve as determinates for another relapse episode in children. In addition, the use of mycophenolate mofetil as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of Henoch Schoenlein Purpura may reduce the frequency of relapse episodes in children.

Keywords: Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura, Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura Nephritis, Recurrence, Children.