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.
Citations
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Hull AD, Resnik R (2009). Abruptio placentae section of Placenta previa, placenta accreta, abruptio
placentae, and vasa previa. In RK Creasy et al., eds., Creasy and Resnik's Maternal Fetal Medicine, 6th ed., pp. 731–734. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
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By
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Healthwise Staff |
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Primary Medical Reviewer
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Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
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Specialist Medical Reviewer
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William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine |
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Last Revised
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February 3, 2012 |
Last Revised:
February 3, 2012
Hull AD, Resnik R (2009). Abruptio placentae section of Placenta previa, placenta accreta, abruptio
placentae, and vasa previa. In RK Creasy et al., eds., Creasy and Resnik's Maternal Fetal Medicine, 6th ed., pp. 731–734. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
