Of unknown cause (? Small vessel vasculitis), it is mostly a disease of children, and characterized by purpura over the lower extremities but also seen on the hands, arms and trunk. Attendant arthritis of knees and ankles is common, and many present with acute abdominal pain and occasionally with G.I. BLEED. SOME cases present with acute glomerulonephritis with albuminuria and heamaturia.The ESR is raised but the platelet counts are normal.
Treatment
Is generally a self limiting disease with subsidence in 1-6 weeks, and without sequelae. Occasionally renal failure ensues. No specific therapy is available. Antispasmodics help or abdominal pain. Prednisolone 1mg/kg/day offers symptomatic relief but the renal involvement is not helped. High dose immunoglobulin reported to be useful for the nephritis.
