Henoch-Schonlein purpura and pulmonary hemorrhage: a report and literaturereview

Pulmonary hemorrhage, a rare complication of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) reported primarily in adults and adolescents, is associated with significa nt mortality. Although it has been suggested that pulmonary hemorrhage also occurs in children with HSP, the few cases reported lack a clear different iation from pauci-immune vasculitis. We report a prepubertal child with HSP , pulmonary hemorrhage, and immunofluorescence-documented IgA deposits on r enal biopsy. Aggressive supportive management and steroid therapy led to su ccessful recovery. A review of the current literature is presented. Because other conditions clinically mimic HSP, appropriate serological studies and a kidney biopsy to confirm the diagnosis should be performed in severely a ffected patients with renal disease.