A 7-year-old girl diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura has abdominal pain and arthritis but no hematuria at presentation. Which investigation must be followed regularly during the first few months to detect the most important long-term complication?

• A Serial blood cultures
• B Monthly serum calcium
• C Urinalysis for hematuria and proteinuria ✓
• D Serial electrocardiograms

Explanation

The prognosis of IgA vasculitis is determined almost entirely by renal involvement, which may appear weeks after onset even when the initial urinalysis is normal. Urinalysis for hematuria and proteinuria should be checked at each follow-up visit for at least the first 3 months, longer if abnormal. Blood cultures address sepsis, not this disease, and cardiac or calcium monitoring has no role here.

Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.