Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is the commonest form of systemic small vessel vasculitis in children. It is characterized by non-thrombocytopenic purpura, arthritis and arthralgia, abdominal pain and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and renal manifestations. Uveitis is rarely associated with HSP. To our knowledge there are only three patients in the adult literature and these patients had also renal manifestations of HSP. Recently the fourth case was reported in an 11-years-old boy, he had recurrent HSP but did not have renal manifestations. Here we report a pediatric case who had bilateral anterior uveitis and late onset severe renal involvement of HSP. We also tried to review the literature.
HSP is the most common systemic vasculitis of childhood and strongly associated with IgA deposition within small vessel walls. It usually involves skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Etiology is unknown; genetic and environmental factors seem to play a role; and infection may be a potential trigger for the disease [1]. The characteristic vascular deposition of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) suggests that HSP is an IgA-mediated dysregulated immune response to antigen [1].
The disease usually occurs between the ages of 3 and 15 years and there is a slight male predominance. It is a self-limiting disease in the majority of children and prognosis is excellent [2]. Short-term morbidity and mortality is associated with gastrointestinal tract lesions and long-term prognosis is associated with severe renal involvement [2].
Uveitis can occur as manifestation of many rheumatological diseases most commonly Seronegative Spondyloarthritis (SSA), Behçet disease and juvenile idiopathic arthritis [3]. The association of HSP and uveitis is very rare and to our knowledge there are only four patients reported (Table 1). Three of these patients are in adult age and one is 11 years old [3-5]. Here we report an 8-years-old boy who presented with uveitis and late onset renal involvement of HSP and also reviewed the literature.
Features |
Kaur [3] |
Erer [5] |
Yamabe [4] |
Muqit [6] |
Our patient |
Age at onset of uveitis |
11 years |
39 years |
64 years |
42 years |
13 years |
Arthralgia |
+ |
+ |
- |
+ |
- |
Rash |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Uveitis |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Recurrence of uveitis |
+ |
+ |
- |
- |
- |
Treatment |
Prednisolone |
Prednisolone and cyclophosphamide |
Conservative |
Prednisolone |
Prednisolone and azathioprine |
Table 1: Summary of cases with HSP and uveitis.
An 8-year-old boy presented with rash, abdominal pain, vomiting and joint pain involving bilateral knees lasting for 24 hours. The child was previously healthy and he only had a history of upper respiratory tract infection 10 days ago. On physical examination he was 20kg (10th centile) in weight and 121cm (10thcentile) in height. His vitals including blood pressure were in normal limits. He did not have cyanosis, icterus, subcutaneous nodules, edema or lymphadenopathy. He had palpable purpuric rash involving markedly lower extremities. Bilateral knee joints were tender and swollen and the range of motion was decreased. He also had mild abdominal tenderness. Other systemic examinations were in normal limits. The child was diagnosed as Henoch Schonlein Purpura according to the EULAR criteria [7].
On laboratory investigation hemoglobin was 14.2g/dl, white blood cell count was 9900/mm3 platelet count was 417.000/mm3. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) was mildly elevated (15mg/dl, normal: 0-0,5); Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) was in normal limits. Renal function tests, urine microscopic analysis, liver function tests were normal. The Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor were negative. Serology for Hepatitis B and C and Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) were negative. Throat swab was negative.
He was treated symptomatically by ibuprofen for arthralgia. Seven days later, the patient developed severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. He had severe abdominal tenderness on physical examination. The laboratory tests showed elevated white blood cell count (18200/mm3) and CRP (29mg/dl) levels, and positive fecal occult blood test. There was no diagnostic finding on abdominal ultrasonography. Low dose steroids were given for a short duration for intestinal involvement. His clinical and laboratory findings improved gradually and he was discharged on the first week of hospitalization. Four weeks after the onset of the disease, asymptomatic mild proteinuria and microscopic hematuria were detected on urinalysis and continued for 8 weeks. Between 12 weeks -42 months during follow up, his physical examination and laboratory investigations were completely normal.
The patient was readmitted with pain and redness in his eyes 42 months after the onset of the disease. His physical examination was completely normal but ophthalmogical examination revealed bilateral anterior uveitis. There were no clinical signs and symptoms of renal involvement at this time. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed optic disc hyperfluorescence and capillary leakage. Visual acuity was intact in each eye. Differantial diagnosis for uveitis was investigated. There was no clinical and laboratory signs of infection and systemic inflammatory diseases. Acute phase reactants, serum complement levels, urinalysis, radiological examinations and echocardiography were all in normal limits. Antinuclear antibodies, anticytoplasmic antibodies and pathergy test were negative. Serum ACE levels were normal and he had no other sign and symptoms suggesting sarcoidosis. HSP was considered as a cause for uveitis, and azathioprine (2mg/kg/daily) and local steroids were started for treatment.
Six months later, he readmitted with rash and edema. Urinalysis showed hematuria and nephrotic range proteinuria. Hypoalbuminemia (3.3g/L) was detected. Glomerular filtration rate was 138ml/min/1.73m2and daily urinary protein loss 78mg/m2/h. ANA, anti ds-DNA antibodies, p- and c-ANCA were negative, and complement components normal. He was undergone renal biopsy because of heavy proteinuria and decrease in the serum albumin levels. Renal biopsy specimens showed diffuse mesengial proliferation and increase of the matrix (Figure 1), cellular (15/79 glomeruli) and fibrocellular crescents (1/79 glomeruli), global sclerosis (4/79 glomeruli), and fibrinoid necrosis and PMNL infiltration in a few glomeruli with deposition of mesangial IgA (+++/+++), C3 (++/+++) and fibrinogen (+/+++). These findings were defined as Grade III b HSP nephritis (diffuse mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis) according to the classification of the International Study for Kidney Diseases in Children (ISKDC). We excluded tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome with renal biopsy findings. Ophthalmological examination revealed visual acuity exactly, anterior chamber scarring, peripheral vascular tortuosity in fundus (Clinical findings and treatment modalities are summarized in table 2). FFA was normal. He was administered oral prednisolone (2mg/kg/day) and ACE-?, and azathioprine was continued. At 3 months and 6 months follow up proteinuria improved and ocular findings were in normal limits.
Figure 1: Renal biopsy specimen showing mesengial proliferation.
Date |
Organ involvement |
Treatment |
At admission |
Only skin rash |
Symptomatic |
1st week |
Skin rash + gastrointestinal involvement |
Oral steroids for one week(1mg/kg/daily) |
12th week |
Normal physical examination |
No treatment |
42nd week |
Bilateral anterior uveitis |
Azathioprine (2mg/kg/daily) |
48th week |
Renal involvement (nephrotic syndrome) |
Azathioprine (2mg/kg/daily) Oral steroids (2mg/kg/daily)
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors |
Table 2: Treatment modalities according to organ involvement of our patient.