petechiae due to small vessel disease

Last reviewed 06/2023

Some causes of petechial bleeding from small vessels:

  • infection - septicaemia, infective endocarditis
  • drug induced e.g. steroid excess
  • scurvy
  • Cushing's syndrome
  • fat embolism
  • dysproteinaemia
  • vasculitis e.g. polyarteritis nodosa, Henoch Schonlein purpura