Purpose:
Henoch Schönlein purpura is an IgA-mediated autoimmune vasculitis of children. It often presents with symptoms including purpuric rash, abdominal pain, renal involvement or arthritis. Abdominal pain is a frequent symptom in children with gastrointestinal involvement. We sought to evaluate gastrointestinal involvement in children with Henoch Schönlein purpura and the efficiency of steroid treatment of this condition.
Materials and Methods:
Aretrospective study of 31 patients diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein purpura between December 2005 and December 2007 was conducted. Low dose steroid was used in children with gastrointestinal involvement.
Results:
Of the 31 patients, 3 (9.6%) had mild abdominal pain, 5(16.1%) colicy abdominal pain and 5 (16.%) suffered either overt gastrointestinal bleeding or had positive stool occult blood.
Conclusion:
We found gastrointestinal involvement in about 60% of children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura and steroid treatment in cases with severe involvement was effective.
Keywords: Henoch Schönlein purpura, childhood, gastrointestinal involvement, steroids