Question

What tests are needed to diagnose allergic purpura in a child?

Answer

To confirm a diagnosis of allergic purpura, the following tests are necessary:

  1. Hematological tests: Including platelet count, bleeding time, clotting time, and thrombin clot retraction time, as well as white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
  2. Infectious and pathogen tests: Including C-reactive protein, antistreptolysin test, and throat swab culture.
  3. Immunological tests: May include measurements of IgA and IgM concentrations.
  4. For children with gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, a fecal occult blood test may be required.