Henoch-Schönlein purpura laboratory findings

There is no specific diagnostic test available for HSP. Platelet count, coagulation studies such as PT, aPTT, and BT are done to rule out other diseases like coagulopathies. They are usually normal. Urinalysis is done to check for any blood in the urine or proteinuria for renal involvement. Serum IgA levels are elevated in the majority of patients with HSP, and in patients with renal involvement higher IgA levels are detected.

• Laboratory findings of HSP:^[1][2][3][4]
• There is no specific diagnostic test available for HSP.
• Platelet count, coagulation studies such as PT, aPTT, and BT is done to rule out other diseases like coagulopathies. They are usually normal.
• Urinalysis, is done to check for any blood in the urine or proteinuria for renal involvement.
• Serum IgA levels are elevated in the majority of patients with HSP, and in patients with renal involvement higher IgA levels are detected.
• The routine blood tests CBC (complete blood count), metabolic profile, urinalysis are usually inconclusive.
• Patients with occult GI bleeding may have anemia.
• Since HSP is a type-III hypersensitivity reaction complements are consumed by the immune complexes eventually leading to hypocomplementemia (decreased C3 and C4).
• Leukocytosis and elevated acute phase reactants are noted in patients with HSP secondary to bacterial infections.

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