Which obstetric complication is the most common cause of DIC in pregnant patients?

Which obstetric complication is the most common cause of DIC in pregnant patients?

• A. Placental Abruption
• B. Dead Fetus Syndrome
• C. Amniotic Fluid Embolism
• D. Gram-Negative Sepsis

Answer: (A)

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in pregnancy is typically driven by placental pathology that dumps tissue factor into the maternal circulation, triggering widespread coagulation and rapid consumption of platelets and clotting factors. Placental abruption, where the placenta prematurely detaches, is the most common source of this thromboplastic material in obstetric patients, making it the leading trigger for DIC. Other scenarios can cause DIC—such as a dead fetus syndrome, amniotic fluid embolism, or gram-negative sepsis—but they are less common in pregnancy. Amniotic fluid embolism can cause DIC through severe systemic reaction, and gram-negative sepsis can induce DIC via endotoxins, but neither is as frequent as abruption as the precipitating factor in pregnant patients.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in pregnancy is typically driven by placental pathology that dumps tissue factor into the maternal circulation, triggering widespread coagulation and rapid consumption of platelets and clotting factors. Placental abruption, where the placenta prematurely detaches, is the most common source of this thromboplastic material in obstetric patients, making it the leading trigger for DIC.

Other scenarios can cause DIC—such as a dead fetus syndrome, amniotic fluid embolism, or gram-negative sepsis—but they are less common in pregnancy. Amniotic fluid embolism can cause DIC through severe systemic reaction, and gram-negative sepsis can induce DIC via endotoxins, but neither is as frequent as abruption as the precipitating factor in pregnant patients.