Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Delivered A Baby

Specific individuals who have recently delivered a baby are at an increased risk of developing disseminated intravascular coagulation. Some complications that occur in a woman who has given birth to a child are associated with the development of this condition. They include placental abruption, severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, retained dead fetus, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, amniotic fluid embolism, placenta previa, HELLP syndrome, delayed miscarriage, and septicemia. Several alterations occur in clotting factors and other substances involved with the clotting process during a woman's pregnancy. These alterations result in an average elevation of clotting factors and a mild hypercoagulable state that usually disseminates within several months following childbirth.

When a complication involving a massive hemorrhage during or following childbirth occurs, the excessive blood loss combined with existing hypercoagulability can trigger disseminated intravascular coagulation. In such cases, the body experiences widespread fibrin displacement due to system-wide activation of the coagulation cascade. Clots form in the microvessels and can cause organic failure.

Get familiar with something that is both a cause and complication of this condition next.