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Rashes in Children

The differentials for a Blanching rash:

  • Measles

  • Rubella

  • Scarlet fever

  • Roseola

  • Parvovirus


The differentials for a Non-blanching rash:

  • Meningococcal disease

  • Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) - purpuric rash on legs and buttocks + associated abdominal/joint pain

  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) - develops over several days in a well child

  • Acute leukaemias - gradual development of petechiae, signs of anaemia, and infection

  • Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) - oliguria and signs of anaemia, and presents in a child with recent diarrhoea


N.B. The rash itself is a sign of a meningococcal infection, NOT meningitis. Meningococcal infection infection is caused by the organism, Neisseria meningitidis. Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain, in which this bacteria can also cause.



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