All issues > Volume 36(5); 1993

Case Report

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1993;36(5):725-732. Published online May 15, 1993.

Three Cases of Purpura Fulminans

Sun Hee SH Suh¹, Hwang Min HM Kim¹, Jae Seung JS Yang¹, Baek Keun BK Lim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea

Abstract

Purpura fulminans is one of rare consumptive coagulopathy in children. The most common prediasposing conditions of purpura fulminans are infectious disease like streptococcal infection and chickenpox. This disease is characterized by ecchymotic lesions that are usually distributed symmetrically on the lower extremities and buttocks. These ecchymotic lesions undergo necrosis, unless there is effective treatment. We experienced 3 cases of purpura fulminans which improved almost completely after early heparin administration. In the case 1, a 12 month old girl, purpura fulminans developed during sepsis and gastroenteritis. In the case 2, a 4 month old boy, purpura fulminans developed during acute gastroenteritis and hepatitis. In the case 3, a 13 month old girl, purpura fulminans developed during sepsis. We reported 3 cases with a brief review of related literature.

Keywords :Purpura fulminans, DIC