Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

Henoch- Schonlein Purpura (HSP) was probably first described by Heberden and Willan in the early 1800's. HSP is recognized as a systemic small vessel vasculitis involving mainly the blood vessels of the skin, GI tact, the kidneys, and the joints. HSP effects mainly children between the ages of 3 and 10 years. Males are affected more often (1.5:1) than females and in about two thirds of children an upper respiratory tract infection precedes the onset of HSP by one to three weeks. The incidence shows a seasonal variation with t...