Factitious purpura in a 10-year-old girl

Pediatr Dermatol. 2009 Sep-Oct;26(5):597-600. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2009.00992.x.

Abstract

We describe a 10-year-old girl who presented with bizarre purpura. Both congenital and autoimmune hemorrhagic disorders were excluded based on her past medical history and physical and laboratory findings. Child abuse was also ruled out as purpura continued to develop after child-family separation. Histologic examination of the skin lesions revealed disruption of collagen fiber bundles. This finding indicated application of external force, leading to a definitive diagnosis of factitious purpura. Although it is very rare in school-age children, the diagnosis of factitious purpura should be included in the differential diagnosis of purpura in children. Histologic analysis of skin biopsies may aid in establishing the diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Factitious Disorders / complications*
  • Factitious Disorders / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Purpura / etiology*
  • Purpura / pathology*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / complications*
  • Skin Diseases / etiology
  • Skin Diseases / pathology
  • Stress, Psychological / complications