Pulmonary haemorrhage in a 6-year-old boy with Henoch-Schonlein purpura

Besbas N., Duzova A., Topaloglu R., Gok F., Ozaltin F., Ozen S., ...More

CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY, vol.20, no.4, pp.293-296, 2001 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 20 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/pl00011205
  • Journal Name: CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.293-296
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common vasculitis in children. It is a multisystemic disease but pulmonary haemorrhage is extremely rare. We present the case of a 6-year-old boy with Henoch-Schonlein purpura, pulmonary haemorrhage and severe renal involvement. The patient responded to a combination of intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. A review of the literature revealed that young age may be a good prognostic sign and that immunosuppressive drugs and supportive management are essential in the treatment. Renal biopsy is helpful in the differential diagnosis of HSP-mimicking pulmonary vasculitic syndromes. Combining cyclophosphamide with glucocorticoids may improve the outcome in severe HSP cases with pulmonary haemorrhage.