Pulmonary haemorrhage in a 6-year-old boy with Henoch-Schonlein purpura

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common vasculitis in children. It is a multisystemic disease but pulmonary haemorrhage is extremely rare. We present the case of a 6-year-old boy with Henoch-Schonlein purpura, pulmonary haemorrhage and severe renal involvement. The patient responded to a combination of intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. A review of the literature revealed that young age may be a good prognostic sign and that immunosuppressive drugs and supportive management are essential in the treatment. Renal biopsy is helpful in the differential diagnosis of HSP-mimicking pulmonary vasculitic syndromes. Combining cyclophosphamide with glucocorticoids may improve the outcome in severe HSP cases with pulmonary haemorrhage.