What Causes Petechial Rash With Normal Platelet Count?
Question: My 22 month old son came down with what was though to be petechiae from a virus. His CBC drawn 4 weeks ago was completely normal (platelets, WBC, Hgb ALL normal) but was covered from head to toe in petechiae. They are non blanching pin prick sized reddish purple (some are brownish) spots. 2 weeks after the first CBC was drawn I became concerned because the petechiae weren't going away at all! They maybe were not worse but certainly not any better. Because of this, I took him to see my pediatrician locally and she ordered a repeat CBC w/ diff. This also came back completely normal. Keep in mind he has NO symptoms. No fever, No loss of appetite, and he is acting completely normal. Because this second CBC came back normal my pediatrician is not concerned. However, now we are going on almost 5 weeks of full body petechiae! Even new petechiae are appearing as the old ones fade so it looks as if he is not getting any better. How can he have petechiae with a normal platelet count? I consulted 2 physicians through this website who were very helpful. One was a pediatrician and the other a hematologist. They both felt there was not real cause for concern due to the 2 normal CBC's. I would like to rule out leukemia as this is causing me a great deal of stress. I am very worried. Any information or reassurance you may have will be greatly appreciated Thank you.
Brief Answer:
not leukemia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query. I do understand your concerns.
As all the CBC panels are normal, it can't be leukemia. In leukemia, there are petechie, but these are due to low platelets. If a leukemia patient has got normal platelets, then there won't be petechie.
Now, it is difficult for me to answer what then can be causing petechie in your son, as he is not having any other symptoms. We need to rule out skin conditions, vitamin c deficiency, etc. You should discuss with your pediatrician again.
Hope this helps.
Regards
not leukemia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query. I do understand your concerns.
As all the CBC panels are normal, it can't be leukemia. In leukemia, there are petechie, but these are due to low platelets. If a leukemia patient has got normal platelets, then there won't be petechie.
Now, it is difficult for me to answer what then can be causing petechie in your son, as he is not having any other symptoms. We need to rule out skin conditions, vitamin c deficiency, etc. You should discuss with your pediatrician again.
Hope this helps.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar