OBJECTIVETo determine the expression of high-mobility group protein box 1 (HMGB1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and D-dimer (D-D) in the peripheral blood of children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and to investigate the clinical significance of HMGB1 in children with HSP.

METHODSA total of 40 children with HSP (HSP group) and 30 healthy children (control group) were involved in the study. The level of serum HMGB1 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the levels of serum hs-CRP and plasma D-D were determined using automatic biochemical analyzer and automatic blood coagulation analyzer, respectively.

RESULTSThe levels of HMGB1, hs-CRP, and D-D in the peripheral blood of the HSP group in the acute phase were significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of the three indicators were significantly higher in HSP children with renal damage than in those without renal damage (P<0.05). In children with HSP, the expression of HMGB1 was positively correlated with the expression of hs-CRP and D-D (r=0.878, P<0.001; r=0.625, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of HMGB1 is related to the inflammatory response and hypercoagulability in children with HSP. HMGB1 may be involved in the development of HSP and associated renal damage in children.