How to spot Henoch-Schönlein purpura in children and act on it

Advice for nurses on how to identify this disease affecting a child’s small blood vessels, and also rule out other possibilities such as sepsis and meningitis

• It mainly affects children’s small blood vessels and quick assessment is crucial to rule out emergencies such as meningitis and sepsis
• Many cases develop after an upper respiratory tract infection and genetic, immune and environmental factors are likely to be involved
• Treatment is focused on managing symptoms and complications, with checks including blood tests and monitoring of kidney function

What is Henoch-Schönlein purpura?

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a disease that mainly affects children’s small blood vessels. A