Demographic, Clinical, and Laboratory Characteristics of Pediatric IgA Vasculitis: A Retrospective Five-Year Single-Center Experience

TL;DR

This study examines the characteristics and outcomes of 74 children with IgA vasculitis over five years, highlighting common symptoms and the importance of monitoring for complications.

Contribution

The study provides a detailed retrospective analysis of pediatric IgA vasculitis cases from a single center over five years.

Findings

Most patients were female and had a preceding infection within two weeks of diagnosis.

Common clinical features included joint, gastrointestinal, and renal involvement.

Corticosteroids were needed in 44 patients due to severe symptoms or persistent disease.

Abstract

Background: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis is the most common vasculitis of childhood. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, prognostic features, differential diagnoses, and treatment approaches of children diagnosed with IgA vasculitis in our clinic. Methods: This retrospective study included children diagnosed with IgA vasculitis between February 2020 and November 2025. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, biopsy, and treatment data were obtained from medical records. Results: Seventy-four patients were included (mean age: 7.7 ± 3.3 years; 60.8% female), with admissions occurring most frequently in autumn and winter. A preceding infection within the last two weeks was present in 78% of patients. Epstein–Barr virus IgM positivity was detected in three patients and Cytomegalovirus IgM positivity in three patients. Joint, gastrointestinal, and renal involvement were observed in 35, 46, and 30 patients, respectively; testicular involvement was detected in two patients and pneumonic infiltration in one patient. Severe gastrointestinal involvement was observed in six patients (melena in four and intussusception in two). Extensive rheumatologic testing revealed no additional pathology, and skin punch biopsy demonstrated findings consistent with IgA vasculitis in all cases. Corticosteroids were required in 44 patients due to gastrointestinal or renal involvement, or persistent disease. Conclusions: Although IgA vasculitis is generally self-limiting, careful clinical monitoring is essential due to the risk of acute gastrointestinal, testicular, and renal complications, and its potential to mimic other causes of acute abdomen before purpura onset. Extensive rheumatologic testing, broad infectious screening and skin biopsy did not provide additional diagnostic or follow-up value beyond clinical assessment.