Henoch-Schönlein purpura overview

Template:Henoch-Schönlen purpura Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

In medicine (rheumatology and pediatrics) Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP, also known as allergic purpura) is a systemic vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) characterized by deposition of immune complexes containing the antibody IgA, especially in the skin and kidney. It occurs mainly in children. Typical symptoms include palpable purpura (small hemorrhages in the skin), joint pains and abdominal pain. Most cases are self-limiting and require no treatment apart from symptom control, but the disease may relapse (in 33% of cases) and cause irreversible kidney damage (in 1%).