Differential Diagnosis for Spontaneous Bruising

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Vitamin C deficiency (Scurvy): This condition is characterized by impaired collagen synthesis, leading to fragile blood vessels and spontaneous bruising. It's a common cause of bruising, especially in individuals with poor dietary intake of vitamin C.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Vitamin K deficiency: Essential for blood clotting, a deficiency in vitamin K can lead to easy bruising due to impaired coagulation.
  • Platelet disorders (e.g., thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction): Conditions affecting platelet count or function can lead to spontaneous bruising due to impaired blood clotting.
  • Medication side effects (e.g., anticoagulants, steroids): Certain medications can increase the risk of bruising by affecting blood clotting or blood vessel integrity.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Leukemia: Certain types of leukemia can cause spontaneous bruising due to bone marrow suppression and subsequent thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction.
  • Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia): Congenital bleeding disorders can lead to spontaneous bruising and bleeding due to impaired coagulation.
  • Liver disease: Advanced liver disease can lead to coagulopathy and spontaneous bruising due to impaired production of clotting factors.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting collagen production, leading to fragile blood vessels and spontaneous bruising.
  • Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: A rare genetic disorder affecting elastic fibers in blood vessels, leading to spontaneous bruising and other symptoms.
  • Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of abnormal proteins in tissues, including blood vessels, leading to spontaneous bruising and other symptoms.