Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and placenta abruptio

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Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and placenta abruptio

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious blood-clotting problem. It occurs in about 10% of women with placenta abruptio. Most of the time, this is when there is severe bleeding or a fetus dies from the abruption.¹

In DIC, the body's natural ability to regulate blood clotting does not function as it should. This causes the blood's clotting cells (platelets) to clump together. These clumps clog small blood vessels throughout the body. This excessive clotting can damage organs, destroys blood cells, and depletes the supply of platelets and other clotting factors so that the blood is no longer able to clot normally. This often causes widespread bleeding, both internally and externally.

Transfusions of blood and other blood-clotting products, such as platelets, are usually required when DIC complicates labor and delivery.

References

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Citations
Clark SL (2004). Placenta previa and abruptio placentae. In RK Creasy, R Resnik, eds., Maternal-Fetal Medicine, 5th ed., pp. 707–722. Philadelphia: Saunders.

Credits

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Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	William Gilbert, MD - Perinatology
Last Updated	February 26, 2008

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Last updated:	February 26, 2008
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, William Gilbert, MD - Perinatology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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