Purpura fulminans caused by meningococcemia in an infant
Abbas, A.; Mujeeb, A.A.
BMJ Case Reports
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1757-790X
PMID: 23921694
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2013-200265
Accession: 037362827
A 6-month-old infant presented with a 2-day history of fever, irritability and rashes. On examination, she was febrile, hypotensive and had a purpuric rash covering the face, trunk and extremities along with symmetrical black discolouration of fingers and toes of all limbs. Investigations revealed leukocytosis, thrombocytopaenia and a prolonged prothrombin time; lumbar puncture was normal. Scrapings from the rash showed Gram-negative cocci in pairs. The child was not immunised against any strain of meningococcus.