[Severe digestive manifestation of rheumatoid purpura. Retrospective study of 19 cases in children].

Digestive and/or nutritional manifestations of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura (HSP) in childhood may be so severe as to require nutritional assistance. The study of 19 cases with this form of the disease allows to suggest a therapeutic protocol. When enteral nutrition cannot be used from the onset, parenteral nutrition is required. Associated steroid therapy may prove helpful for the regression of the digestive signs. The observed slowness of the weight catch-up, in spite of high protein-energy intakes, emphasizes the severity of catabolism in these severe forms of HSP.