Petechia

Petechia
A minor petechia.
ICD-10	R23.3
ICD-9	782.7

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Overview

A petechia (pronounced [pɨˈtiːkiə]), plural petechiae (pɨˈtiːkɪiː) is a small red or purple spot on the body, caused by a minor hemorrhage (broken capillary blood vessels).

Differential diagnosis of causes of petechia

• Bolivian hemorrhagic fever
• Boutonneuse fever
• Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
• Congenital syphilis
• Dengue fever
• Duke's disease
• Ebola
• Endocarditis
• Erythroblastosis fetalis
• Gua Sha
• Henoch-Schönlein purpura
• Leukemia
• Childhood protein-energy malnutrition such as Kwashiorkor or Marasmus
• Typhus
• Scarlet Fever
• Schamberg's Disease
• Kawasaki disease
• Kawasaki fever
• Rocky mountain spotted fever

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).

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.

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.

Physical examination

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  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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  Epicardial petechiae: Gross, an excellent example of infarct heart with petechiae.
  Image courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology

Pathology / Forensics

Petechiae on the face and conjunctiva (eyes) are a sign of a death by asphyxiation. They are thought to result from an increase of pressure in the veins of the head and hypoxic damage to endothelial of blood vessels.

References

Cost Effectiveness of Petechia

| group5 = Clinical Trials Involving Petechia | list5 = Ongoing Trials on Petechia at Clinical Trials.gov • Trial results on Petechia • Clinical Trials on Petechia at Google

| group6 = Guidelines / Policies / Government Resources (FDA/CDC) Regarding Petechia | list6 = US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Petechia • NICE Guidance on Petechia • NHS PRODIGY Guidance • FDA on Petechia • CDC on Petechia

| group7 = Textbook Information on Petechia | list7 = Books and Textbook Information on Petechia

| group8 = Pharmacology Resources on Petechia | list8 = AND (Dose)}} Dosing of Petechia • AND (drug interactions)}} Drug interactions with Petechia • AND (side effects)}} Side effects of Petechia • AND (Allergy)}} Allergic reactions to Petechia • AND (overdose)}} Overdose information on Petechia • AND (carcinogenicity)}} Carcinogenicity information on Petechia • AND (pregnancy)}} Petechia in pregnancy • AND (pharmacokinetics)}} Pharmacokinetics of Petechia •

| group9 = Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Proteinomics of Petechia | list9 = AND (pharmacogenomics)}} Genetics of Petechia • AND (pharmacogenomics)}} Pharmacogenomics of Petechia • AND (proteomics)}} Proteomics of Petechia

| group10 = Newstories on Petechia | list10 = Petechia in the news • Be alerted to news on Petechia • News trends on Petechia</small>

| group11 = Commentary on Petechia | list11 = Blogs on Petechia

| group12 = Patient Resources on Petechia | list12 = Patient resources on Petechia • Discussion groups on Petechia • Patient Handouts on Petechia • Directions to Hospitals Treating Petechia • Risk calculators and risk factors for Petechia

| group13 = Healthcare Provider Resources on Petechia | list13 = Symptoms of Petechia • Causes & Risk Factors for Petechia • Diagnostic studies for Petechia • Treatment of Petechia

| group14 = Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs on Petechia | list14 = CME Programs on Petechia

| group15 = International Resources on Petechia | list15 = Petechia en Espanol • Petechia en Francais

| group16 = Business Resources on Petechia | list16 = Petechia in the Marketplace • Patents on Petechia

| group17 = Informatics Resources on Petechia | list17 = List of terms related to Petechia

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