Purpura fulminans (Q87934): Difference between revisions

Purpura fulminans is a life-threatening, rapidly progressive thrombotic disorder affecting mainly neonates and children, characterised by purpuric skin lesions and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The lesions are initially well-demarcated erythematous macules, rapidly developing irregular central areas of blue-black haemorrhagic necrosis, becoming painful, dark and raised, sometimes with vesicle or bulla formation. Lesions later lead to irreversible endothelial ischemic injury with gangrenous necrosis. Purpura fulminans may progress rapidly to multi-organ failure by thrombotic occlusion of small and medium-sized blood vessels. There are three forms classified by triggering mechanism: neonatal, acute infectious (the most common form), and idiopathic.