Comprehensive Symptom Navigator

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders

Symptoms:
easy or excessive bruising; petechiae (tiny red spots on the skin); prolonged bleeding; spontaneous nosebleeds; bleeding gums; blood in urine or stool; heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents

Root Cause:
Autoimmune destruction of platelets, resulting in thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and increased bleeding risk. The exact cause is unknown but often follows a viral infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
CBC showing low platelet count; exclusion of other causes (e.g., bone marrow biopsy if needed); peripheral smear excludes platelet clumping or abnormalities.

Treatment:
Observation for mild cases; corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) for initial treatment; intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or anti-D immunoglobulin for rapid platelet increase; splenectomy or rituximab for refractory cases.

Medications:
Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ), IVIG, anti-D immunoglobulin, and thrombopoietin receptor agonists (e.g., eltrombopag , romiplostim ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1 in 10,000 children per year; more common in children aged 2–7 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Recent viral infections, autoimmune conditions, and vaccinations (rarely).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent in most pediatric cases; ITP often resolves spontaneously within 6 months in children. Chronic ITP occurs in less than 20% of cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe bleeding (rare), chronic ITP, and side effects of treatment (e.g., immunosuppression).

Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG, Trench Mouth)

Specialty: Dental and Oral Health

Category: Gum and Periodontal Conditions

Sub-category: Gingival (Gum) Disorders

Symptoms:
severe gum pain; bleeding gums; foul breath; fever; metallic taste; ulcerations between teeth; swollen lymph nodes

Root Cause:
Severe bacterial infection due to poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, or immunosuppression; often involves spirochetes and fusobacteria.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical observation of characteristic ulcers, pain, and necrosis; medical history review; microbiological testing in some cases.

Treatment:
Debridement of necrotic tissue, improved oral hygiene, and systemic antibiotics for infection control.

Medications:
Antibiotics like metronidazole or amoxicillin-clavulanate for infection control; analgesics (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen ) for pain management.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in developed countries; more common in regions with poor access to dental care or in immunosuppressed populations.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, stress, smoking, HIV/AIDS, and other conditions causing immune suppression.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with prompt treatment, though untreated cases can lead to rapid tissue destruction and systemic infection.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Periodontitis, systemic infections (e.g., sepsis), and oroantral fistula formation.

Fractured Primary Teeth

Specialty: Dental and Oral Health

Category: Pediatric Oral Health Conditions

Sub-category: Traumatic Dental Injuries

Symptoms:
chipped, cracked, or broken teeth; tooth pain or sensitivity; bleeding gums; difficulty eating

Root Cause:
Trauma to primary teeth from falls, accidents, or other injuries.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination and X-rays to assess the extent of damage and potential impact on underlying permanent teeth.

Treatment:
Smoothing rough edges, fillings or crowns, or extraction in severe cases; monitoring for signs of infection.

Medications:
Pain relief with acetaminophen or ibuprofen ; antibiotics for infections if indicated.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in young children; prevalence depends on activity level and environmental factors.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Active play, lack of supervision, previous dental trauma.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with prompt treatment; untreated fractures may lead to infection or damage to permanent teeth.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, abscess formation, or damage to developing permanent teeth.

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

Specialty: Hematology

Category: Coagulation, Hemostasis, and Disorders

Symptoms:
easy or excessive bruising; petechiae (small red or purple spots on the skin); prolonged bleeding from cuts; spontaneous nosebleeds (epistaxis); bleeding gums; heavy menstrual periods; blood in urine or stool in severe cases

Root Cause:
An autoimmune disorder where antibodies target and destroy platelets, leading to thrombocytopenia and an increased risk of bleeding. The exact trigger is often unknown but may follow infections or be associated with other autoimmune conditions.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on low platelet count (less than 100,000/micro L) in the absence of other causes of thrombocytopenia, often confirmed with bone marrow examination (to exclude other conditions) and peripheral blood smear.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on platelet count and bleeding severity. First-line therapies include corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). In refractory cases, splenectomy or second-line therapies like rituximab or thrombopoietin receptor agonists are used.

Medications:
First-Line Treatments - Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone , dexamethasone ) to suppress the immune response, Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to temporarily increase platelet count, Anti-D immunoglobulin for Rh-positive patients. Second-Line Treatments - Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) to reduce antibody production, Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (e.g., romiplostim , eltrombopag ) to stimulate platelet production. Other Options - Immunosuppressive agents (e.g., azathioprine , mycophenolate mofetil), Fostamatinib (a spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated prevalence is 2–5 per 100,000 individuals annually, with higher rates in children and older adults. Chronic ITP is more common in adults, particularly females.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Viral infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C), autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus), recent vaccinations, certain medications, and older age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Many children with ITP recover spontaneously, while adults may experience a chronic course. With appropriate management, severe complications are rare.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe bleeding (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage), complications from long-term corticosteroid use (e.g., osteoporosis, diabetes), and infections following splenectomy.

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) and Pregnancy

Specialty: Hematology

Category: Coagulation, Hemostasis, and Disorders

Symptoms:
low platelet count detected during routine pregnancy testing; easy bruising; petechiae (small red or purple spots on the skin); bleeding gums; prolonged bleeding from minor injuries; in rare cases, severe bleeding or postpartum hemorrhage

Root Cause:
Autoimmune-mediated destruction of platelets during pregnancy, with potential exacerbation due to physiological changes in platelet count during gestation. It poses risks to both maternal and neonatal health, as maternal antibodies can cross the placenta.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed by exclusion, based on low platelet count (less than 100,000/micro L) without other causes of thrombocytopenia. History and peripheral blood smear help rule out gestational thrombocytopenia or preeclampsia-associated thrombocytopenia.

Treatment:
Treatment is focused on managing bleeding risks. Corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) are first-line therapies. Platelet transfusions are reserved for severe cases or imminent delivery. Delivery planning includes minimizing bleeding risks.

Medications:
First-Line Treatments - Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ): Used in the lowest effective dose to avoid long-term fetal exposure. Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) - Often preferred due to its safety and lack of significant side effects on the fetus. Second-Line Options (if first-line treatments fail) - Azathioprine - Considered safe during pregnancy for refractory cases. Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists (e.g., eltrombopag , romiplostim ) - Generally avoided due to limited safety data in pregnancy. Avoided Medications - Rituximab and other immunosuppressive agents: Typically avoided due to potential risks to the fetus. Fostamatinib - Contraindicated during pregnancy.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
ITP complicates 1–5 in 10,000 pregnancies. Gestational thrombocytopenia is more common but usually mild and resolves postpartum.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Pre-existing ITP, autoimmune disorders, and certain infections.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most pregnancies progress uneventfully with appropriate management. Neonates may experience transient thrombocytopenia but typically recover without intervention.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Maternal complications include postpartum hemorrhage and severe thrombocytopenia during delivery. Neonatal complications include thrombocytopenia due to transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies, increasing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.