Neurologic manifestations of Schönlein-Henoch purpura

The presence of a possible cerebral involvement in Schönlein-Henoch Purpura was investigated in a prospective study comprising 26 children. A hampering headache accompanied by behavioural changes was present in 8 patients (31%). No cases of seizures, aphasia, ataxia, pareses or cerebral haemorrhage were found. EEG-abnormalities like slow wave foci, sharp waves, and paroxysms were demonstrated in 12 patients (46%) during the acute phase of the disease. The EEG-changes were transient but persisted in 4 patients during a follow-up period lasting one year. A significant association was found between the presence of headache and an abnormal EEG-tracing.