Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and laboratory features of children diagnosed with Henoch Schönlein purpura (HSP), risk factors of renal involvement and their effect on prognosis.

Methods: A total of 80 pediatric HSP patients (44 males and 36 females) between ages 2 to 13 (average age 7.68±3.09) admitted to the Pediatrics Clinic and follow-up cases from the Pediatric Rheumatology and Nephrology Clinic of the Istanbul Medeniyet University, Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, between April 1998 and June 2003 were enrolled for the study. In order to precisely evaluate glomerular and tubular function, urinary β 2 microglobulin, microalbumin and tubular reabsorption of phosphorus (TRP) were determined.

Results: A retrospective evaluation of the HSP patients showed that 26 (32.5%) had symptoms of renal impairment. In terms of renal function, 20 (25%) out of the 54 asymptomatic children initially subjected to routine renal tests had renal involvement. In terms of age, there was a significant difference (p < 0.016) in developing renal involvement between patients above 5 years old and those younger than 5 years.

Conclusion: It was therefore suggested that long-term follow-ups in addition to examinations such as routine kidney function tests, tubular reabsorption of phosphate (TRP) and microalbumin levels should be conducted in order to detect the early phase of renal damage.