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Dainyal Siddiqui, MD

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Manuel Jimenez, MD

Cardiology

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Franz Pierre-Louis, MD

Infectious Disease

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Last updated: June 5, 2025 • View editorial policy

Differential Diagnosis for Unexplained Bruising in a 16-year-old Female

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Easy Bruising Syndrome: This condition is characterized by a tendency to bruise easily due to fragile blood vessels or capillaries. It's a common issue in adolescents, especially females, and can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, lack of vitamin C, or other nutritional deficiencies.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Trauma: Unintentional or unnoticed trauma to the leg could result in bruising. This is a common cause, especially in active teenagers.
  • Vitamin Deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins like C or K can affect blood vessel integrity or clotting, leading to easy bruising.
  • Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels during puberty can affect blood vessels and lead to increased bruising.
  • Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as anticoagulants or aspirin, can increase the risk of bruising.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Blood Clotting Disorders (e.g., Hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease): Although less common, these conditions can lead to significant morbidity if not identified and managed properly.
  • Cancer (e.g., Leukemia): Certain types of cancer can cause bruising due to bone marrow suppression or clotting abnormalities.
  • Infection (e.g., Septicemia): Severe infections can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), causing bruising among other symptoms.
  • Autoimmune Disorders (e.g., Lupus): Some autoimmune conditions can increase the risk of bruising due to their effect on blood vessels or the clotting system.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, which can lead to fragile blood vessels and easy bruising.
  • Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: A rare genetic disorder that affects the elastic fibers present in the skin, retina, and cardiovascular system, potentially leading to easy bruising.
  • Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of amyloid proteins in various tissues, which can lead to bruising due to blood vessel fragility.
  • Scurvy: A disease resulting from vitamin C deficiency, which can cause bruising, among other symptoms like malaise and connective tissue weakness.

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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