Henoch-Schönlein purpura with antecedent allergic diseases in a 4-year-old child: a case report

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP)/immunoglobulin A vasculitis is an acute immunoglobulin-mediated vascular disorder compromising a triad of non-blanchable purpuric rashes, colicky abdominal pain and haematuria. Incidence ranging for large populations has been most common vasculitis among children with a mean age of 6years. Disease presentation ranges from small petechial rash to the most severe form of renal involvement so early diagnosis is important.

Here the authors present a 4-year-old girl with antecedent allergic history associated HSP. She presented with non-blanchable purpuric rashes, abdominal pain with bilateral ankle swelling. She had been treated for atopic dermatitis and acute urticaria without angioedema and acute tonsillitis. The potential association of HSP and these condition should be kept in mind in order not to miss the impediment complications of HSP.

HSP usually presents with rash, abdominal pain and vomiting, joint pain especially involving knees and ankles, subcutaneous oedema but in severe cases there could be renal involvement leading to nephritis, neurological manifestation involving neuropathies, altered mental status and many others.

This case highlights the rarity of disease, presentation, association with allergic diseases and availability of treatment modality.