DURING the past three years, 6 infants with generalized cutaneous purpura during the newborn period have come under observation. Four of the infants have shown early severe thrombopenia. This fact is of interest, since not more than 3 cases have been reported previously from any one institution. Reported cases of this clinical entity have long appeared in the literature. The recent increased frequency of these reports focuses added attention in their direction. The literature reveals considerable divergence of opinion regarding the number of cases reported, the terminology, the diagnostic criteria, etiology and classification. It is unfortunate that the clinical and laboratory data in many cases are incomplete. This paper presents a detailed study of the cases previously reported, with the addition of 6 new cases. It is our hope to clarify somewhat the present status of this disease picture and to remove some of the existing confusion. Thus far, there