ABSTRACT
Purpura and bruising may be due to thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction, a vascular problem or a coagulation factor deficiency. The commonest causes in childhood are trauma, Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and leukaemia. Less common but important causes are meningococcal septicaemia and inherited coagulopathies, which are discussed elsewhere. Conjunctival haemorrhages and facial petechiae are common following raised intrathoracic pressure (e.g. whooping cough, vomiting, newborn following vaginal delivery) but may occur spontaneously in leukaemia and other bleeding disorders.
