Henoch-Schönlein purpura in a child with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

A case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura with Guillain-Barré syndrome in a 3-year-old-girl is presented. This association is extremely rare. During the course of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a decrease in plasma factor XIII activity was noted. When the Guillain-Barré symptoms improved, the factor XIII activity returned to normal. In the present case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura complicated by Guillain-Barré syndrome, the factor XIII level was measured, a novel feature of this study. The findings suggest the involvement of factor XIII, which is characteristically involved in Henoch-Schönlein purpura, also is involved in the associated Guillain-Barré syndrome.