Definition of Purpura Fulminans

Purpura fulminans is a disease characterized by hemorrhages of the skin, usually combined with gangrene and blood clots. The most common form mainly affects children and is often fatal.

Neonatal Purpura Fulminans

• Neonatal purpura fulminans is a result of an inherited deficiency of blood anticoagulants. An infant with neonatal purpura fulminans will experience multiple blood clots in the skin and other organs within the first few days of life and must be treated with platelets and fresh plasma at high intensity, and with anticoagulants over the long term.

Idiopathic Purpura Fulminans

• Idiopathic purpura fulminans usually follows a viral or bacterial infection. It progresses rapidly, with gangrene, necrosis of the skin and organ dysfunction rapidly following.

Acute Infectious Purpura Fulminans

• Acute infectious purpura fulminans is the most common form of the disease. It most commonly follows an infection of Neisseria meningitidis or streptococci bacteria and is often accompanied by toxic shock syndrome. Administration of activated protein C and intravenous immunoglobulin may be able to prevent irreversible tissue damage.