Heparin prophylaxis of Henoch-Schoenlein nephropathy

Eighty eight children with extrarenal manifestations of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura received 120-150 IU/kg heparin in infusion for three days at onset and at relapses. Nephropathy developed in one child (1.1%), whereas renal involvement was noticed in 14 out the 67 control patients with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura (20.9%). The difference was highly significant (p less than 0.001).