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Diseases

IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schonlein purpura)

OVERVIEW

  • Highlights & Basics
  • Images

DIAGNOSIS

  • Diagnostic Approach
  • Risk Factors
  • History & Exam
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis
  • Criteria
  • Screening

TREATMENT

  • Tx Approach
  • Tx Options
  • Emerging Tx
  • Prevention

FOLLOW-UP

  • Overview
  • Complications

REFERENCES

  • Citations
  • Guidelines
  • Credits

PATIENT RESOURCES

  • Patient Instructions

Highlights & Basics

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Key Highlights
  • IgA vasculitis (formerly known as Henoch-Schonlein purpura) is the most common vasculitis of childhood.

  • Rash of palpable purpura is present in all cases.

  • Most cases are self-limiting or resolve with symptomatic treatment. Immunosuppressive therapy is indicated for nephritis, orchitis, and other organ- or life-threatening manifestations.

  • Long-term complications are rare but there is a risk of chronic kidney disease.

  • Early, accurate diagnosis is important to initiate appropriate management.

Palpable purpura on the lower extremities of a child
Palpable purpura on the lower extremities of a child
From the collection of Paul F. Roberts, MD

Quick Reference

  • History & Exam

    • Key Factors

      • Other Factors

        More information...
      • Diagnostics Tests

          More information...
        • Treatment Options

            More information...

          Definition

          Epidemiology

          Etiology

          Pathophysiology

          content by BMJ Group
          Last updated

          Images

          • Palpable purpura on the lower extremities of a child

            Palpable purpura on the lower extremities of a child

          • Palpable purpura on the lower extremities of a child

            Palpable purpura on the lower extremities of a child

          Citations

            Key Articles

            • Ozen S, Marks SD, Brogan P, et al. European consensus-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of immunoglobulin A vasculitis - the SHARE initiative. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2019 Sep 1;58(9):1607-16.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • UK Kidney Association.​ The initial management of IgA vasculitis (Henoch Schönlein Purpura) in children and young people. Dec 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • UK Kidney Association. The management of complications associated with IgA vasculitis (Henoch Schönlein Purpura) in children and young people. Dec 2022 [internet publication].​[Full Text]

            • Hahn D, Hodson EM, Craig JC. Interventions for preventing and treating kidney disease in IgA vasculitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Feb 28;(2):CD005128.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Glomerular Diseases Work Group. KDIGO 2021 clinical practice guideline for the management of glomerular diseases. Kidney Int. 2021 Oct;100(4S):S1-276.​[Full Text]

            Referenced Articles

            • 1. Roberts PF, Waller TA, Brinker TM, et al. Henoch-Schonlein purpura: a review article. South Med J. 2007 Aug;100(8):821-4.[Abstract]

            • 2. Jennette JC, Falk RJ, Bacon PA, et al. 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides. Arthritis Rheum. 2013 Jan;65(1):1-11.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 3. Jennette JC. Overview of the 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides. Clin Exp Nephrol. 2013 Oct;17(5):603-6.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 4. Counahan R, Winterborn MH, White RH, et al. Prognosis of Henoch-Schönlein nephritis in children. Br Med J. 1977 Jul 2;2(6078):11-4.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 5. Koskela M, Ylinen E, Ukonmaanaho EM, et al. The ISKDC classification and a new semiquantitative classification for predicting outcomes of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis. Pediatr Nephrol. 2017 Jul;32(7):1201-9.[Abstract]

            • 6. Nong BR, Huang YF, Chuang CM, et al. Fifteen-year experience of children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura in southern Taiwan, 1991-2005. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2007 Aug;40(4):371-6.[Abstract]

            • 7. Oni L, Sampath S. Childhood IgA vasculitis (Henoch Schonlein purpura) - advances and knowledge gaps. Front Pediatr. 2019 Jun 27;7:257.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 8. Jauhola O, Ronkainen J, Koskimies O, et al. Clinical course of extrarenal symptoms in Henoch-Schonlein purpura: a 6-month prospective study. Arch Dis Child. 2010 Nov;95(11):871-6.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 9. Soreide K. Surgical management of nonrenal genitourinary manifestations in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura. J Pediatr Surg. 2005 Aug;40(8):1243-7.[Abstract]

            • 10. Watson L, Richardson AR, Holt RC, et al. Henoch schonlein purpura - a 5-year review and proposed pathway. PLoS One. 2012;7(1):e29512.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 11. Leung AKC, Barankin B, Leong KF. Henoch-Schönlein purpura in children: an updated review. Curr Pediatr Rev. 2020;16(4):265-76.[Abstract]

            • 12. Gedalia A. Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2004 Jun;6(3):195-202.[Abstract]

            • 13. Tracy A, Subramanian A, Adderley NJ, et al. Cardiovascular, thromboembolic and renal outcomes in IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura): a retrospective cohort study using routinely collected primary care data. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019 Feb;78(2):261-9.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 14. Calvino MC, Llorca J, Garcia-Porrua C, et al. Henoch-Schonlein purpura in children from northwestern Spain: a 20-year epidemiologic and clinical study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2001 Sep;80(5):279-90.[Abstract]

            • 15. Hwang HH, Lim IS, Choi BS, et al. Analysis of seasonal tendencies in pediatric Henoch-Schönlein purpura and comparison with outbreak of infectious diseases. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Sep;97(36):e12217.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 16. Liao CH, Tsai M, Yang YH, et al. Onset age is a risk factor for refractory pediatric IgA vasculitis: a retrospective cohort study. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2020 Nov 10;18(1):86.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 17. Eisenstein EM, Navon-Elkan P. Acute rheumatic fever associated with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura: report of three cases and review of the literature. Acta Paediatr. 2002;91(11):1265-7.[Abstract]

            • 18. Fietta P. Systemic vasculitides: immunogenetics and familial clustering. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Mar-Apr 2004;22(2):238-51.[Abstract]

            • 19. Ten Holder SM, Joy MS, Falk RJ, et al. Cutaneous and systemic manifestations of drug-induced vasculitis. Ann Pharmacother. 2002 Jan;36(1):130-47.[Abstract]

            • 20. Rasmussen C, Tisseyre M, Garon-Czmil J, et al. Drug-induced IgA vasculitis in children and adults: revisiting drug causality using a dual pharmacovigilance-based approach. Autoimmun Rev. 2021 Jan;20(1):102707.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 21. Fervenza FC. Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis. Int J Dermatol. 2003 Mar;42(3):170-7.[Abstract]

            • 22. Saulsbury FT. Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2001 Jan;13(1):35-40.[Abstract]

            • 23. Kemper MJ. Primary IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd. 2004;152:257-64.

            • 24. Chen O, Zhu XB, Ren P, et al. Henoch Schonlein purpura in children: clinical analysis of 120 cases. Afr Health Sci. 2013 Mar;13(1):94-9.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 25. Xu Y, Wang JJ, Liu FF, et al. Predisposing factors of childhood Henoch-Schönlein purpura in Anhui province, China. J Investig Med. 2019 Apr;67(4):771-8.[Abstract]

            • 26. Wei CC, Lin CL, Shen TC, et al. Atopic dermatitis and association of risk for Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis) and renal involvement among children: results from a population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Jan;95(3):e2586.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 27. Shi D, Chan H, Yang X, et al. Risk factors associated with IgA vasculitis with nephritis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis) progressing to unfavorable outcomes: a meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2019 Oct 1;14(10):e0223218.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 28. Mills JA, Michel BA, Bloch DA, et al. The American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Arthritis Rheum. 1990 Aug;33(8):1114-21.[Abstract]

            • 29. Ozen S, Marks SD, Brogan P, et al. European consensus-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of immunoglobulin A vasculitis - the SHARE initiative. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2019 Sep 1;58(9):1607-16.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 30. Ozen S, Pistorio A, Iusan SM, et al; Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO). EULAR/PRINTO/PRES criteria for Henoch-Schönlein purpura, childhood polyarteritis nodosa, childhood Wegener granulomatosis and childhood Takayasu arteritis: Ankara 2008. Part II: final classification criteria. Ann Rheum Dis. 2010 May;69(5):798-806.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 31. UK Kidney Association.​ The initial management of IgA vasculitis (Henoch Schönlein Purpura) in children and young people. Dec 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 32. Simundic AM, Bölenius K, Cadamuro J, et al. Joint EFLM-COLABIOCLI recommendation for venous blood sampling. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2018;56(12):2015-38.[Abstract]

            • 33. UK Kidney Association. The management of complications associated with IgA vasculitis (Henoch Schönlein Purpura) in children and young people. Dec 2022 [internet publication].​[Full Text]

            • 34. Choong CK, Beasley SW. Intra-abdominal manifestations of Henoch-Schönlein purpura. J Paediatr Child Health. 1998 Oct;34(5):405-9.[Abstract]

            • 35. Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Henoch-Schönlein purpura. January 2021 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 36. Brennan T; IAEM Guideline Development Committee. Henoch Schonlein purpura. March 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 37. Blanco R, Martinez-Taboada VM, Rodriguez-Valverde V, et al. Henoch-Schonlein purpura in adulthood and childhood: two different expressions of the same syndrome. Arthritis Rheum. 1997 May;40(5):859-64.[Abstract]

            • 38. Hahn D, Hodson EM, Craig JC. Interventions for preventing and treating kidney disease in IgA vasculitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Feb 28;(2):CD005128.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 39. Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Glomerular Diseases Work Group. KDIGO 2021 clinical practice guideline for the management of glomerular diseases. Kidney Int. 2021 Oct;100(4S):S1-276.​[Full Text]

            • 40. Rohner K, Marlais M, Ahn YH, et al. Outcome of immunosuppression in children with IgA vasculitis-related nephritis. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2024 Jul 31;39(8):1299-309.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 41. Niaudet P, Habib R. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy in the treatment of severe forms of Schonlein-Henoch purpura nephritis. Pediatr Nephrol. 1998 Apr;12(3):238-43.[Abstract]

            • 42. Ma Y, Han F, Chen L, et al. The impact of intravenous methylprednisolone pulses on renal survival in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis with severe renal injury patients: a retrospective study. BMC Nephrol. 2017 Dec 29;18(1):381.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 43. Kanaan N, Mourad G, Thervet E, et al. Recurrence and graft loss after kidney transplantation for henoch-schonlein purpura nephritis: a multicenter analysis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011 Jul;6(7):1768-72.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 44. Reamy BV, Servey JT, Williams PM. Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis): rapid evidence review. Am Fam Physician. 2020 Aug 15;102(4):229-33.[Abstract]

            • 45. Silva CA, Cocuzza M, Borba EF, et al. Cutting-edge issues in autoimmune orchitis. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2012 Apr;42(2):256-63.[Abstract]

            • 46. Abu-Zaid MH, Salah S, Lotfy HM, et al. Consensus evidence-based recommendations for treat-to-target management of immunoglobulin A vasculitis. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2021 Dec 9:13:1759720X211059610.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 47. Nguyen B, Acharya C, Tangpanithandee S, et al. Efficacy and safety of plasma exchange as an adjunctive therapy for rapidly progressive IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein Purpura nephritis: a systematic review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Feb 16;24(4):3977.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 48. Augusto JF, Sayegh J, Delapierre L, et al. Addition of plasma exchange to glucocorticosteroids for the treatment of severe Henoch-Schönlein purpura in adults: a case series. Am J Kidney Dis. 2012 May;59(5):663-9.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 49. Williams CEC, Lamond M, Marro J, et al. A narrative review of potential drug treatments for nephritis in children with IgA vasculitis (HSP). Clin Rheumatol. 2023 Dec;42(12):3189-200.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 50. Marro J, Williams C, Pain CE, et al. A case series on recurrent and persisting IgA vasculitis (Henoch Schonlein purpura) in children. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2023 Aug 14;21(1):85.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 51. Saulsbury FT. Henoch-Schonlein purpura in children. Report of 100 patients and review of the literature. Medicine (Baltimore). 1999 Nov;78(6):395-409.[Abstract]

            • 52. Shin JI, Park JM, Shin YH, et al. Predictive factors for nephritis, relapse, and significant proteinuria in childhood Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Scand J Rheumatol. 2006 Jan-Feb;35(1):56-60.[Abstract]

            • 53. Sestan M, Jelusic M. Diagnostic and management strategies of IgA vasculitis nephritis/Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis in pediatric patients: current perspectives. Pediatric Health Med Ther. 2023 Mar 7:14:89-98.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 54. Narchi H. Risk of long term renal impairment and duration of follow up recommended for Henoch-Schonlein purpura with normal or minimal urinary findings: a systematic review. Arch Dis Child. 2005 Sep;90(9):916-20.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 55. Oni L, Gritzfeld JF, Jones C, et al. Comment on: European consensus-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of immunoglobulin A vasculitis-the SHARE initiative. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 May 14;60(5):e179-80.[Abstract][Full Text]

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