[HLA and rheumatoid purpura with or without nephropathy]

HLA profile was determined in 121 caucasoid children with rheumatoid purpura: out of those 55 developed nephropathy, of variable severity. HLA A and B were studied in all children, DR in 87. HLA BW 35 was more frequently found in total group of rheumatoid purpura (28,9%) and especially in nephropathies: 38,2% vs 20,4% in controls. However the increase is not significative even in nephropathy. On the other hand BW 35-DR 4 association is significatively higher in rheumatoid purpura with or without nephropathy than in controls. Analysis of 3 families with 2 affected sibs and 7 families with 1 affected child does not show any linkage with HLA. Determination of HLA profile does not allow to predict that the disease will be complicated by a nephropathy.