Glomerulonephritis is the main determinant of mortality in the Henoch Schönlein syndrome. We report a prospective study on 17 patients with the Henoch Schönlein nephritis who underwent a renal biopsy during a 12-year period. Three patients have developed end-stage renal failure, 13 are alive with normal renal function and one was lost to follow-up. We recommend that patients with Henoch Schönlein nephritis be followed up, with urinalysis and assessment of renal function, for at least five years.