title: Disseminated intravascular coagulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a complex systemic thrombohaemorrhagic disorder characterised by widespread endothelial damage. Aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of DIC in different obstetrical conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit 'A', Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad from January 2010 to December 2011. All 40 diagnosed cases of DIC were included, and their risk factors and maternal/foetal outcome were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 4,334 obstetrical admissions, DIC was diagnosed in 40 (0.92%) patients. Risk factors noted were eclampsia 28 (70%), abruptio placentae 7 (17.5%), septicaemia 3 (7.5%), pancytopenia 1 (2.5%), and 1 (2.5%) patient had DIC secondary to haemorrhagic shock due to placenta previa. Mean age range of patients was 31 +/- 6.69 (19-48) year, and parity was 3.17 +/- 2.56 (0-10). Mode of delivery of 34 (85%) patients was by caesarean section, and vaginal delivery occurred in 3 (7.5%) patients. Eleven (27.5%) patients had caesarean hysterectomy. Maternal mortality was 25% and perinatal mortality was (47.5%). Majority of our patients were critical and were managed in ICU.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DIC is serious life threatening condition secondary to any underlying pathology. There is spontaneous resolution of DIC after correction of pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan. drmaira@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Humaira
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Naz
authors.forename: Anisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fawad
authors.forename: Ansa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Hamna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.forename: Aziz-un-Nisa
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Abbasi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005865:Gestational Age; D020073:Gravidity; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors