Neonatal purpura fulminans: a rare disease with a sinister outcome

Abstract

Neonatal purpura fulminans is a rare but frequently fatal disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality. Purpura fulminans describes a clinico-pathological entity of dermal microvascular thrombosis associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and perivascular hemorrhage occurring in the newborn period. It is usually congenital as a result of deficiency of protein C and S. it maybe be either idiopathic or acquired due to severe infection by gram negative organisms or Staphylococcus species. Here we present the case of a neonate born to an HIV reactive mother who presented to us at 6^th day of life with desquamation of skin in periumbilical area which gradually progressed to involve the limbs, trunk as well as face. The neonate was managed with supportive therapy in ICU but despite intensive management, she expired at 10 days of life due to septicaemia and multi-organ failure.