Petechiae on 1 year old's face & body

[Totorotummy]

Should preface this with that we're in Norway, so have different healthcare processes than the UK.

My guy started getting these purple and red spots 6 days ago. Started on face, spread to arms, back, chest and legs. Had a random nose bleed that same day but otherwise fine.

Took him to our GP who diagnosed eczema without even looking at him. I've had eczema, it's never looked like petechiae.

Two days ago, he gets a fever all day and night. Yesterday he woke up with no fever but the rash had spread even more.

Took him to Norway's equivalent of A&E, who then sent us to the pediatric infection ward at the hospital. The doctor there was so dismissive and treated me like a hypochondriac. Said she couldn't see any thing at all, no spots, no rash, she couldn't see what is obvious here in the photo. But since we were there, she ran some blood tests. I don't know what she checked for but she said it all came back clear and again said that anything I see must be invisible.

I find it so strange of how she pretended to, or really couldn't, see the spots.

Have any of your littles had something like this? My 5 year old has had various rashes and reactions but never anything like this.

Forgot photo

I would be looking to see a haematologist privately ASAP.

I am assuming you have done the glass test as you seem to know about rashes. That looks like petechiae to me and the nose bleed and fever would concern me. Nobody can diagnose over the internet and I am not a doctor, but IMO it is always better to follow your instinct and go back if you are worried.

@endofthelinefinally yes, did a glass test. They don't blanch. I mentioned this to the doctor at the hospital but since she didn't even think there was anything there in the first place, she of course just ignored me.

I'll look into a haematologist if I can find one private. Thanks

Or even another paediatrician tbh as it could be an infection, but I am pretty unimpressed with the first paediatrician. The photo is pretty clear.

@endofthelinefinally this photo was taken the day before it spread, so it was even more obvious by the time she saw him. They did do blood test so I guess they ruled out any virus and bacterial infection that would typically cause this 🤷‍♀️

I have no advice, but his hair is gorgeous!

My son had an episode with a very similar appearance and it was taken very seriously despite there being an explanation (he had been taken to hospital with breathing difficulties). In the end they excluded other causes and said it was from coughing/struggling to breathe. I’m therefore surprised that the medical staff are being off with you. Are you Norwegian? If not perhaps this is the reason.

My child was admitted with a rash like this and given IV antibiotics. Is the rash below the chest too? Sometimes coughing/vomiting can cause a non blanching rash - but they will assess location of the rash. I find it very odd they dismissed this - I would go back into A&E ASAP. How is your child now?

@makingitalladdup haha, thanks 😁 I think so too

@Footnote he has tracheomalicia so getting it from coughing/breathing difficulties is a plausible explanation. It's just that he didn't have an episode when it started. I'm not Norwegian so yeah, could be a part of it!

@Wimblingwombling he's doing completely fine but the rash/petechiae/whatever it is, is still very much there. It's all the way down to his calves.

He's already on antibiotics (started the round after the rash so it's not the cause) due to something else, so if it is some kind of infection then hopefully it'll help

My boy was admitted for this for suspected meningitis - he was feverish and very sleepy too. The GP rang an ambulance on seeing the spots. They didn't think it was meningitis in the end, just some virus probably but they didn't mess around, the GP injected penicillin there and then and then it was IV antibiotics at hospital.

As the above poster said, they where much more concerned about the spots on his legs and lower body than any around his face.

He got them once or twice after (but only on his upper body) the big scare with other milder viruses but he was much better in himself those times so there was no big panic, although the GP wanted to see him in person each time.

This all happened when he was 1 - 1.5 years, he's 3 now and it's never happened since and we never really got an explanation as to what had caused it. He's perfectly healthy

@Bobojangles Thanks :) it's reassuring to hear that your guy was ok. Just wish they were taking it as seriously here!

@totorotummy yeah that doctor sounds awful! DSs spots were just like this! But it was very much the combination of spots + fever + sleepiness + cold feet/hands that put everyone on panic stations

When he had just the spots (post-fever) no one was too worried but they still wanted to check him out.

I'd definitely go back I'd you see anything else concerning eg. More fever etc

Did you give them the nosebleed and fever as part of his history when he was examined. I'd also suggest haematologist asap.

Is she mistaking them for freckles? Given his stunning colouring, and the fact they are quite dark, she may have assumed what she could see was freckles and failed to see anything else.

Obviously you know he doesn't have freckles there!

My DS was hospitalised twice with similar- each time suspected meningitis. Both times, he had a high temperature and was retching. Pretty sure that's what caused it.

He's so fair skinned coughing could do it, especially if he has a fever.

If he's well in himself, not lethargic and so on, I wouldn't panic. I would go back if it doesn't resolve in a few days.

Coughing might affect his face, but not elsewhere.

Are you worried about thrombocytopenia?
Could you not ring your GP and ask if one of the blood tests taken was a full blood count which measures platelets?

Any update op? My son always had petechial rashes when he was younger (he's had about 10 blood tests for them as he has very pronounced lymph nodes anyway so the worry was always leukaemia). Hope he was OK in the end!