Differential Diagnosis for Bruising

The following differential diagnosis is organized into categories to help guide the thought process.

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Easy bruising due to Vitamin C deficiency: A lack of vitamin C can lead to impaired collagen synthesis, making blood vessels more fragile and prone to bruising.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP): An autoimmune condition characterized by low platelet count, leading to increased bruising and bleeding.
  • Medication side effects (e.g., anticoagulants, aspirin): Certain medications can interfere with blood clotting, increasing the risk of bruising.
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, which can lead to fragile blood vessels and easy bruising.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Leukemia: Certain types of leukemia can cause bruising due to bone marrow suppression and subsequent thrombocytopenia.
  • Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia, von Willebrand disease): These conditions can lead to impaired blood clotting, resulting in bruising and potentially life-threatening bleeding.
  • Abuse or trauma: It is essential to consider the possibility of physical abuse or trauma, especially in vulnerable populations.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Scurvy: A rare condition caused by severe vitamin C deficiency, leading to bruising, bleeding, and other symptoms.
  • Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: A genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, which can cause bruising, skin lesions, and other systemic symptoms.
  • Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of abnormal proteins in tissues, which can lead to bruising, bleeding, and other symptoms.