To perform the test, pressure is applied to the forearm with a blood pressure cuff inflated to between systolic and diastolic blood pressure for 10 minutes.
After removing the cuff, the number of petechiae in a 5 cm diameter circle of the area under pressure is counted.
[2] 15 or more petechiae indicate capillary fragility, which occurs due to poor platelet function, bleeding diathesis or thrombocytopenia, and can be seen in cases of scurvy,[3] and Dengue fever.
The test is named after Alfred Fabian Hess.
This medical diagnostic article is a stub.