Henoch-Schönlein purpura in Black and Indian children in Natal

The features of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) have not been frequently reported among children in developing countries and they are therefore described in 8 children (6 Blacks, 2 Indians) seen in Durban over a 6-year period. There do not appear to be major differences between HSP in children in the developed world and that in Black and Indian children in South Africa. The patients were fairly well-nourished school-age children, of whom 5 were males and 3 females. All had the typical rash, and 5 had gastro-intestinal problems; arthritis and renal signs and symptoms were seen in 4, and none developed neurological complications. The serum C3 levels wee variable, skin biopsies revealed allergic vasculitis in 2 patients, and renal biopsies showed focal proliferative glomerulonephritis in 2 patients, with IgA deposits in 1 of these.