Purpura
Aka: Purpura, Purpuric rash, Petechiae, Ecchymosis, Ecchymoses
II. Definitions
- General: Non-blanching cutaneous Hemorrhages
- Petechiae: Pinpoint Hemorrhages <2 mm in diameter
- Purpura: 2 to 10 mm in diameter
- Ecchymosis: >10 mm in diameter
III. Signs: Purpura
- Visible non-blanching Hemorrhages
- Compare with Contusions which are Traumatic non-blanching Hemorrhages
- Contrast with Vascular Skin Reaction which does blanch
- Occurs in the skin or mucus membranes
- Size: 2-10 mm in diameter (see definitions above)
- Characteristics
- Palpable Purpura suggests Vasculitis
- Distribution
- Petechiae on the head or neck
- Purpura on Lower extremities (gravity dependent)
- Purpura on palms and soles
- Rickettsial infection
IV. Signs: Associated Conditions
- See Purpura Causes
- See Thrombocytopenia
- Fever and ill appearing or signs of toxicity
- Fever without signs of toxicity
- Mononucleosis (EBV)
- Adenovirus
- Pertussis
- Streptococcal Pharyngitis
- Also most common cause of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
- Preceding viral illness
- Hepatosplenomegaly and Lymphadenopathy
- Malignancy (e.g. Leukemia)
- Mononucleosis (EBV)
- Hypertension
- Hemarthrosis
- Arthralgias
- Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
- Rheumatologic causes (esp with eye symptoms)
- Skeletal abnormalities
- Thrombocytopenia-absent radii (TAR syndrome)
- Fanconi’s Anemia (Short Stature)
- Skin hyperelasticity and joint hypermobility
- Telangiectases
V. Labs: General
- Initial Tests
- Complete Blood Count with Platelet Count
- Peripheral Smear
- Coagulation tests (INR, PTT)
- Urinalysis with microscopic exam
- Tests to consider
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
- Blood Cultures (fever, ill appearance and Petechiae/Purpura)
- Streptococcal Test
- Monospot (EBV titer in age <5 years old, Monospot inaccurate in that group)
VI. Labs: Complete Blood Count and Peripheral Smear
- Schistocytes
- Atypical Lymphocytosis
- Infectious Mononucleosis
- Cytomegalovirus
- Leukemia blast cells with similar appearance
- Reticulocyte Count increased
VII. Labs: Platelet Count and Indices
- Anemia and Thrombocytopenia
- Thrombocytopenia with otherwise normal CBC
- Altered platelet size
- See Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)
VIII. Labs: Urinalysis with Hematuria or Proteinuria
IX. Causes
- See Purpura Causes
X. Approach: Children (older protocol)
- Step 1 (non-bleeding cause)
- If unable to identify cause, go to step 2 below
- Identify potential cause based on history and exam
- See Purpura Causes
- See Signs above
- Step 2 (bleeding cause)
- Obtain Bleeding Disorder lab-work
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Platelet Count
- Peripheral Blood Smear
- ProTime
- Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
- Evaluate Platelet Count
- Platelet Count low: Go to Step 3a below
- Platelet Count normal: Go to Step 3b below
- Obtain Bleeding Disorder lab-work
- Step 3a (Low Platelet Count)
- See Thrombocytopenia
- Prothrombin Time and aPTT prolonged
- Prothrombin Time and aPTT not prolonged
- Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome
- Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Bone Marrow aplasia
- Platelet Sequestration
- Step 3b (Normal Platelet Count)
- Prothrombin Time and aPTT prolonged
- Coagulation Factor deficiency
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Circulating Anticoagulant
- Liver disease
- Prothrombin Time and aPTT not prolonged
- Go to Step 4 below
- Prothrombin Time and aPTT prolonged
- Step 4 (Bleeding Time)
- Obtain Bleeding Time
- Bleeding Time prolonged
- Bleeding Time normal
- Child Abuse (Nonaccidental Trauma)
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Vascular Purpura
XI. Disposition
- See Thrombocytopenia for hospitalization indications related to Low Platelets
- Admit or observe febrile or ill appearing patients with Petechiae or Purpura if no clear cause
- Well-appearing, afebrile infants with isolated, localized Petechiae and normal history exam are unlikely to have serious illness
XII. Precautions: Patients with bleeding tendency
- See Thrombocytopenia for activity and procedure limitations based on Platelet Count
- Caution with fever or ill appearing patients
- Consider Meningococcus, Pneumococcus, DIC, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Consider HSP, TTP, HUS
- Caution with strenuous activity or Contact Sport
- Caution with Intramuscular Injections
- Avoid Aspirin and NSAIDs
XIII. References
- Behar, Spangler, Swadron in Herbert (2016) EM:Rap 16(3): 14-6
- Baselga (1997) J Am Acad Dermatol 37:673-705 [PubMed]
- Leung (2001) Am Fam Physician 64(3): 419-28 [PubMed]
- Stevens (1995) Am Fam Physician 52(5):1355-62 [PubMed]