Differential Diagnosis for Big Drops in Platelets with Bleeding

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP): This condition is characterized by the formation of blood clots in small blood vessels throughout the body, which can lead to a significant drop in platelet count and bleeding. The presence of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, renal failure, neurological symptoms, and fever makes TTP a likely diagnosis.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP): An autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets, leading to thrombocytopenia and bleeding.
  • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): A condition characterized by the widespread formation of blood clots in small blood vessels, which can consume platelets and clotting factors, leading to thrombocytopenia and bleeding.
  • Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): A condition similar to TTP, characterized by the formation of blood clots in small blood vessels, which can lead to thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and renal failure.
• Do Not Miss diagnoses
  • Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT): A potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the use of heparin triggers an immune response, leading to the formation of antibodies that activate platelets, causing thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.
  • Sepsis: A life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection becomes uncontrolled, leading to widespread inflammation, organ failure, and potentially thrombocytopenia and bleeding.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Congenital Thrombocytopenia: A rare group of disorders characterized by a low platelet count present at birth, which can increase the risk of bleeding.
  • Platelet Function Disorders: A rare group of disorders characterized by abnormalities in platelet function, which can increase the risk of bleeding.