Henoch-Schonlein purpura with hypocomplementemia in children.
BACKGROUND
The clinical course and prognosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) associated with hypocomplementemia are not clear.


METHODS
The clinical findings of 10 children with HSP and hypocomplementemia were studied.


RESULTS
Purpuric rash in all patients, abdominal pain in five, and arthralgia in nine were noted. The findings in HSP were not different from others with HSP. In eight patients, infection preceded hypocomplementemia. Serum levels of CH50, C3 or C4 were depressed variously. Complement levels returned to normal within 5 weeks in all patients. Antistreptolysin-O (ASO) titer was elevated in all patients and nephritis occurred in eight patients. Six patients had generalized edema and hypertension. Macroscopic hematuria occurred in two patients and heavy proteinuria in five patients. One patient was diagnosed as having poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) combined with HSP nephritis according to renal biopsy findings. In three of eight patients with nephritis, abnormal urinary findings continued for more than 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypocomplementemia in children with HSP was transient and was not related to severity of HSP. Incidences of elevated ASO titer and nephritis were high. The nephritis resembled PSAGN during the acute stage and long-term clinical courses varied. These findings suggest PSAGN may be associated with HSP nephritis.
Motoyama
Osamu
O
First Department of Pediatrics, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo 143-8541, Japan. ped1adm@med.toho-u.ac.jp
Iitaka
Kikuo
K
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009393:Nephritis / Q000150:complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003165:Complement System Proteins