Vascular causes of bleeding disorders
Vascular defects causing abnormal bleeding are rare.
In cases of vitamin C deficiency, capillary integrity
is lost, and blood oozes into the tissues. In the inherited
condition hemorrhagic telangiectasia, groups of enormously
dilated capillaries can be seen in the skin and mucous
membranes of the mouth, nose, and gastrointestinal and
respiratory tracts. The lesions appear in adult life
and tend to bleed on the least provocation. The Ehlers–Danlos
syndrome is a disorder of collagen synthesis in which
the increased fragility of vessels causes them to be
easily ruptured. Cortisone, prednisone, and other corticosteroid
drugs are associated with increased capillary fragility
and purpura.
