Purpura fulminans

Purpura fulminans is a haemorrhagic condition usually associated with sepsis or previous infection. It occurs mainly in babies and small children. It is a life-threatening disorder of acute onset. It is characterized by cutaneous haemorrhage and necrosis (tissue death), low blood pressure, fever and disseminated intravascular coagulation. It was first described by Guelliot in 1884.^[1]

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Common causes are severe infection (especially with meningococcus and Gram-negative organisms),^[2] and deficiency of the natural anticoagulants protein C or protein S in the blood.^[3] In some cases, a cause is never found.^[2]

Treatment is mainly by removing the underlying cause and with supportive treatment. In many cases, digits may need to be amputated when their blood supply has ceased completely.^[2]

References

1. ^ Guelliot A (1884). "Note sur trois cas de purpusa infectieux foudroyant". Un Med Sci Nord-Est 8: 25.
2. ^ ^{a b c} Nolan J, Sinclair R (2001). "Review of management of purpura fulminans and two case reports". British journal of anaesthesia 86 (4): 581–6. PMID 11573639.
3. ^ Marciniak E, Wilson HD, Marlar RA (1985). "Neonatal purpura fulminans: a genetic disorder related to the absence of protein C in blood". Blood 65 (1): 15–20. PMID 3838081.