Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Purpura fulminans
Introduction
Overview
Purpura fulminans is a haemorrhagic condition usually associated with sepsis or previous infection. It is a life-threatening disorder of acute onset. It is characterized by cutaneous haemorrhage and necrosis, low blood pressure, fever and disseminated intravascular coagulation. It was first described by Guelliot in 1884. Neonatal purpura fulminans is a potentially fatal condition that occurs in babies. It is caused by homozygous protein C or S deficiency. It can also be caused by meningococcal meningitis. It is rapidly fatal without replacement therapy with the missing protein or treatment of bacterial meningitis with high-dose IV antibiotics. A recent report described purpura fulminans in a seven-day-old infant caused by an infection after a non-therapeutic neonatal circumcision.
Editor-In-Chief: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.