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Current Therapeutic Research, Clinical and Experimental logoLink to Current Therapeutic Research, Clinical and Experimental
. 2009 Jun;70(3):254–265. doi: 10.1016/j.curtheres.2009.05.003

Adjuvant treatments for Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis in children: A systematic review

Marco Zaffanello 1,*, Milena Brugnara 1, Massimo Franchini 2, Vassilios Fanos 3
PMCID: PMC3967300  PMID: 24683235

Abstract

Background: The management of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) in childhood is controversial. Adjuvant therapies such as immunoglobulin, anticoagulants, and vitamins have been used with conventional treatments despite a lack of evidence of their efficacy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the scientific literature regarding adjuvant treatments administered with conventional drugs in the treatment of childhood HSPN.

Methods: Published articles were identified from the MEDLINE and EMBASE

databases (1988–December 2008; key words: Henoch-Schönlein nephritis and Henoch-Schönlein purpura). The search was limited to published English-language studies on therapeutic options for HSPN in children.

Results: A total of 12 studies were identified and included in this review; most (n = 8) were case series or retrospective studies. Studies of conventional therapy combined with adjuvant treatment should be interpreted with caution. In particular, factor XIII administration was reported to improve kidney symptoms in 1 study. Based on the results from 9 studies, no convincing evidence on intravenous immunoglobu-lin, urokinase, or anticoagulants was identified. No substantial information was available on the benefit of antiplatelet agents or heparin in treating HSPN. Integrating treatment with vitamin E was not recommended based on the results from 1 randomized controlled trial. Fish oil was reported to be effective in 1 case series.

Conclusions: Studies concerning the treatment of HSPN in children with adjuvant therapies were retrospective and recommendations were drawn from level IV evidence. One randomized controlled trial on the use of tocopherol as adjuvant treatment was identified; however, no clinical utility was reported. At present, there is no strong evidence supporting benefits with the use of adjuvant treatments.

Key words: glomerulonephritis, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, adjuvant therapies, evidence-based approach

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