Bleeding, general approach

Etiology

Defect in platelet number or function (gum bleeding, petechiae, bruising)

• Thrombocytopenia, eg, idiopathic and thrombotic, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, leukemia
• Acquired disorder, eg, aspirin-induced platelet dysfunction, uremia, myeloproliferative disorder, autoantibody
• Hereditary disorder, eg, von Willebrand's disease, Glanzmann's thrombasthenia

Defect in coagulation (skin and deep muscle bleeding)

• Acquired disorder, eg, liver disease, vitamin K deficiency, anticoagulants, disseminated intravascular coagulation, factor VIII antibodies
• Hereditary disorder, eg, hemophilia A