Abnormal Bleeding

DESCRIPTION

Abnormal bleeding may present with a variety of symptoms due to defects in either primary or secondary hemostasis ranging from mucocutaneous bleeding (epistaxis, oral mucosal bleeding, menorrhagia) and soft tissue bleeding (skin bruising, petechiae, ecchymoses) to more severe joint, muscle, and/or organ bleeding.

• Primary hemostasis: stage of platelet adhesion and aggregation forming platelet plug
• Secondary hemostasis: stage of coagulation factors forming a stabilized fibrin clot

ETIOLOGY

• Bleeding symptoms may occur in healthy children, but depending on the frequency, severity, and location of such bleeding, this may cause concern for an underlying bleeding disorder.
• Bleeding disorders can be a result of a coagulation-based protein defect, von Willebrand disease (vWD), acquired or congenital platelet disorders, acquired or inherited collagen vascular disorders, fibrinolytic disorders, and/or other acquired causes such as a dietary deficiency, infection, medication-induced, malignancy, or nonaccidental trauma.