Steven is a 10yearold white male seeking medical attention b

Steven is a 10-year-old white male seeking medical attention because of possible physical abuse observed by his gym teacher. The teacher noticed severe bruising over much of his upper body when his shirt \"rode up\" during an exercise. Steven emphatically states that he has never been abused by anyone. He denies any accidents and didn\'t tell anyone about his bruises because he thought they might \"get me into trouble:\" His mother cannot explain the bruises either and did not see them before today because her son does all of his own hygiene and is quite modest about revealing his body even to family members. Steven\'s physical examination is benign except for multiple, irregular dark purple bruises over most of his torso and lower extremities. His complete blood count is well within normal limits except for a low platelet count of 18,000/mm³. What is Steven\'s diagnosis?

Solution

Steven has PURPURA.

purpura is severe bruising which is a localised one or spread throughout the body, caused without any abuse or accident. people having purpura show symptoms like fever, fatigue etc., These bruises differ from those caused because of injuries by bumping or falling, and rather develop within the body. If the patient possesses any clotting or bleeding disorder, they can be victims of purpura.

In this case, the patient has low platelet count i.e, thrombocytopenia, which causes bleeding inside the body or underneath the skin(in this case). Tiny red or purple spots under the skin also are observed which is called petechiae, this mostly resembles a rash.

Stephen has subcutaneous bruises which are because of his low platelet count. Bleeding from small blood vessels is the reason for his bruises.