A Case of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura with Multi-System Complications

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a multisystem disorder characterised by systemic vasculitis involving small vessels. We report a case of an 18 year-old male with HSP who survived after a prolonged stay on intensive care. In addition to problems of glomerulonephritis and intussusception, he became seriously compromised by decreased left ventricular function and pulmonary haemorrhage which are rare in this disease 1-2 . Treatment interventions included aggressive immunosuppression (used for the management of pulmonary haemorrhage in previous case reports), immunoglobulin therapy and plasma exchange, the combination of which may have been instrumental in the positive outcome in this case.