Purpura: Diagnostic Possibilities

Abstract

When hemostatic defenses break down because of coagulation, platelet or blood vessel defects, purpura can ensue. Most commonly, thrombocytopenia causes purpura, but it can also result from too little platelet factor 3 activity, too many platelets, or nonadhesive platelets. In evaluating purpura, physicians sometimes must also consider congenital disorders, infectious disease, emboli, allergic purpura, metabolic states, and factitial purpura.