Case report

Schönlein-Henoch purpura during pregnancy with successful outcome for mother and newborn

Robert Feldmann¹ , Walter Rieger² , Paul G Sator¹ , Friedrich Gschnait¹ and Friedrich Breier¹

¹  Department of Dermatology, Lainz Municipal Hospital, Wolkersbergenstraβe 1, A-1130 Vienna, Austria

²  Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lainz Municipal Hospital, Wolkersbergenstraβ e 1, A-1130 Vienna, Austria

author email corresponding author email

BMC Dermatology 2002, 2:1doi:10.1186/1471-5945-2-1

Published:	30 January 2002

Abstract

Background

Schönlein-Henoch purpura is a systemic vasculitis that affects vessels of a small caliber and rarely reported in the literature.

Case presentation

We report on a 35-year-old woman who developed palpable purpura with necrotizing cutaneous lesions on the lower limbs at 27 weeks of gestation. She also complained of epigastric pain and arthralgias. Histologic examination of a skin biopsy showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis with intravascular fibrin thrombi. The direct immunofluorescence analysis evidenced vascular deposits of IgA and C3 in the upper and mid-dermis. These findings were consistent with Schönlein-Henoch purpura. There was no evidence of renal involvement or placental dysfunction. The patient was treated with low-dose oral corticosteroids and a healthy infant was delivered by cesarean section. Examination of the placenta and the navel string disclosed no signs of vasculitis or infarction.

Conclusion

Schönlein-Henoch purpura is rarely reported in pregnancy. Treatment with orally administred corticosteroids may lead to a beneficial outcome for mother and newborn.