title: Diagnosis and management of neonatal purpura fulminans.
abstract: Neonatal purpura fulminans is a rare, life-threatening condition, caused by congenital or acquired deficiencies of protein C or S. The condition is often fatal unless there is early recognition of the clinical symptoms, prompt diagnosis, and judicious replacement therapy is initiated. The clinical presentation is that of acute disseminated intravascular coagulation and hemorrhagic skin necrosis. The management includes an acute phase of replacement therapy with fresh frozen plasma or protein C concentrate and a maintenance therapy that includes anticoagulation with warfarin or low molecular weight heparin. This review focuses on the management of severe protein C deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. vicky.price@iwk.nshealth.ca
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ledingham
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krümpel
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020151:Protein C Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D018455:Protein S Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D055665:Purpura Fulminans / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*