Angioedema: a rare manifestation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a small vessel immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis that primarily affects children. Characteristic manifestations include purpuric rash, abdominal pain, renal insult and arthralgia. Non-classical manifestations, such as angioedema, may mimic signs and symptoms associated with differential diagnoses including hereditary angioedema, anaphylaxis and urticarial vasculitis. We present the case of a girl in middle childhood who presented with angioedema with a known history of HSP. Familiarity with atypical manifestations of HSP may mitigate the need for invasive diagnostics such as renal or skin biopsy.