title: Henoch-Schönlein purpura in pregnancy.
abstract: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an IgA-mediated small vessel vasculitis which commonly involves the skin, gastrointestinal system and kidneys. Numerous HSP triggers have been identified, and pregnancy has been reported as an exacerbating factor. After a pregnant woman had been diagnosed as having new-onset HSP, we reviewed all cases of immunofluorescence-proven HSP evaluated by the Department of Dermatology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1990 and 2002, and report three cases of HSP occurring during pregnancy. Two patients developed new-onset HSP, one at 16 weeks gestation and one at 22 weeks, while the third developed a recurrence of HSP at 12 weeks gestation after 19 years of remission. We conclude that pregnancy may be a trigger for HSP onset or recurrence in susceptible individuals.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mimouni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rencic
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kouba
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Nousari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A