Exercise-induced purpura in children

Abstract

Exercise-induced purpura, which has also been called “golfer's purpura,” is a phenomenon that has been rarely reported in the pediatric literature. This is the first case series in which this benign vasculopathy, which is most often associated with warm weather and high-impact activity, is described. In this series, we describe 5 patients, most of whom had an erythematous purpuric rash above the sock line that extended to the knees and was associated with warm weather and prolonged activity. Exercise-induced purpura may be mistaken for Henoch-Schönlein purpura or as a manifestation of a possible systemic vasculitis. Recognition of this benign condition is vital to avoid an unnecessary workup and a costly evaluation with accompanying anxiety.