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| | ==[[Petechia overview|Overview]]== |
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| == Pathophysiology== | | ==[[Petechia historical perspective|Historical Perspective]]== |
| Petechiae may be a sign of [[thrombocytopenia]] (low [[platelet]] counts). They also occur in circumstances when platelet function is inhibited (e.g., as a side effect of medications or during certain infections) or when excessive pressure is applied to tissue (e.g., when a tourniquet is applied to an extremity or with excessive coughing).
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| Petechiae should always be quickly investigated. They can be interpreted as [[vasculitis]], an inflammation of the blood vessels, which requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage. Some malignancies can also cause petechiae to appear. Petechiae should be investigated by a physician immediately to rule out the more dangerous conditions. Dermatologists can be the most helpful specialists in these conditions because they can more easily identify if the condition is petechiae or some similar looking but less worrisome rash.
| | ==[[Petechia classification|Classification]]== |
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| The significance of petechiae in children depends on the clinical context in which they arise. Petechiae in children can occur with viral infections. In this setting they do not necessarily signify serious illness. They are the hallmark of some possibly serious illnesses, however, such as [[meningococcemia]], various causes of [[thrombocytopenia]], and [[leukemia]]. Therefore, their presence should not be ignored.
| | ==[[Petechia pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]]== |
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| ===Gross Pathology=== | | ==[[Petechia causes|Causes]]== |
| <div align="left">
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| <gallery heights="175" widths="175">
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| Image:Petechiae heart 001.jpg|Epicardial petechiae: Gross, an excellent example of infarct heart with petechiae. <br> <small> [http://www.peir.net Image courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology] </small>
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| </gallery>
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| </div>
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| ===Forensics=== | | ==[[Petechia differential diagnosis|Differentiating Petechia from other Diseases]]== |
| Petechiae on the face and [[conjunctiva]] (eyes) are a sign of a death by [[asphyxia]]tion. They are thought to result from an increase of pressure in the [[vein]]s of the head and [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxic]] damage to [[endothelium|endothelial]] of blood vessels.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Ely |first= Susan F. |coauthors= Charles S. Hirsch |title= Ashpyxial deaths and petechiae: a review |url= http://www.charlydmiller.com/LIB04/2000petechiaereview.pdf |format= PDF |journal= Journal of Forensic Science |volume= 45 |issue= 6 |date= 2000 |pages=1274-1277 |accessdate= 2007-09-22 }}</ref>
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| | ==[[Petechia epidemiology and demographics|Epidemiology and Demographics]]== |
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| | ==[[Petechia risk factors|Risk Factors]]== |
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| | ==[[Petechia natural history, complications and prognosis|Natural History, Complications and Prognosis]]== |
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| | ==Diagnosis== |
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| | [[Petechia history and symptoms|History and Symptoms]] | [[Petechia physical examination|Physical Examination]] | [[Petechia laboratory findings|Laboratory Findings]] | [[Petechia other diagnostic studies|Other Diagnostic Studies]] |
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| | ==Treatment== |
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| | [[Petechia medical therapy|Medical Therapy]] | [[Petechia primary prevention|Primary Prevention]] | [[Petechia secondary prevention|Secondary Prevention]] | [[Petechia cost-effectiveness of therapy|Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy]] | [[Petechia future or investigational therapies|Future or Investigational Therapies]] |
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| | ==Case Studies== |
| | [[Petechia case study one|Case #1]] |
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| ==Causes==
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| ===Causes in Alphabetical Order===
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| * [[Bolivian hemorrhagic fever]]
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| * [[Boutonneuse fever]]
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| * Childhood protein-energy malnutrition such as [[Kwashiorkor]] or [[Marasmus]]
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| * [[Congenital syphilis]]
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| * [[Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever]]
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| * [[Dengue fever]]
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| * [[Duke's disease]]
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| * [[Ebola]]
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| * [[Endocarditis]]
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| * [[Erythroblastosis fetalis]]
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| * [[Gua Sha]]
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| * [[Henoch-Schönlein purpura]]
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| * [[Kawasaki disease]]
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| * [[Kawasaki fever]]
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| * [[Leukemia]]
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| * [[Rocky mountain spotted fever]]
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| * [[Scarlet Fever]]
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| * [[Schamberg's Disease]]
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| * [[Typhus]] <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001363.htm |title=Typhus |accessdate=2007-11-05 |author=Grayson MD, Charlotte |date=2006-09-26 |work=[[MedlinePlus|MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia]] |publisher=[[National Institutes of Health]]}}</ref>
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| ==Physical examination==
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| ===Eyes===
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| <div align="left">
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| <gallery heights="175" widths="175">
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| Image:eye_petechiae.jpg|Conjunctival Petechiae: Conjunctival petechiae, in this case secondary to endocarditis. (Image courtesy of Josh Fierer, M.D and Charlie Goldberg, M.D.)
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| </gallery>
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| </div>
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
