Diabetic Ketoacidosis Precipitated by Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

Numerous investigations have been devoted to the search for environmental factors controlling the onset of autoimmune diseases. Pancreatic involvement, a rare complication of Henoch-Schonlein purpura, has been found mainly in adults, and it has not been reported in children. We present a case of a severe diabetic ketoacidosis in a child, a 7-year-old boy, following a typical clinical picture of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Therapy with intravenous insulin resulted in resolution of the diabetic ketoacidosis and resolved the petechial rash of both legs.