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Published on: February 11, 2019

Gastrointestinal manifestations and complications of Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Shih-Yann Chen1, Man-Shan Kong

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taipei.

Chang Gung Medical Journal
|May 20, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) commonly affects children, with gastrointestinal (GI) issues like abdominal pain being frequent. Severe GI complications in HSP requiring surgery are rare.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Vasculitis
  • Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

  • Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis affecting children.
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is a common feature of HSP, ranging from mild to severe.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the gastrointestinal manifestations and complications of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in children.
  • To review the hospital course and management strategies for pediatric HSP patients with GI involvement.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for 208 children diagnosed with HSP between July 1995 and June 2000.
  • Focused analysis on the incidence, presentation, and severity of GI symptoms and complications.
  • Evaluation of patient management and surgical intervention rates.

Main Results:

  • Gastrointestinal manifestations were observed in 77.8% of pediatric HSP cases.
  • Colicky abdominal pain (98.1%) and vomiting (39.5%) were the most frequent GI symptoms.
  • Severe complications included GI bleeding and intussusception; surgical intervention was rare (5 patients).

Conclusions:

  • Gastrointestinal manifestations are highly prevalent in pediatric Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
  • Colicky abdominal pain is the hallmark GI symptom of HSP.
  • While GI complications can occur, surgical intervention for HSP is infrequent.
Abstract

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