Vasculitis from the pediatric perspective.

This article reviews the spectrum of vasculitic illness affecting children. Apart from the relatively common vasculitides (Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Kawasaki disease, and in worldwide terms Takayasu disease) there are a number of important but comparatively rare disorders affecting children. As in adults, there is a considerable degree of overlap between the various vasculitic syndromes in childhood. With modern therapeutic agents, the prognosis for many of the childhood vasculitides has improved; however, in spite of this, there remains a not inconsequential morbidity and mortality. It is anticipated that as our knowledge of the immunopathogenesis of this group of disorders expands, classification and treatment of vasculitis in both children and adults will improve.