- Discussion:
- a vasculitis of unknown etilogy;
- mean age of onset is 6 years;
- small vessel vasculitis involving:
- skin:
- rash is typically from the waist down;
- rash begins w/ urticaria but quickly turns to petechiae and then to purpura;
- joints
- most often affects knees and ankles;
- is usually painful, and relieved w/
non steroidals;
- arthritis typically lasts less than 6 weeks;
- gut:
- severe episodic abdominal pain and hematochezia;
- occassionally, intussusception occurs;
- kidneys:
- microscopic hematuria is the most common manifestation;
- rarely renal failure may occur;
Review Article: Current Concepts: Polyarthritis And Fever.
