Which condition is a complication of placental abruption?

Which condition is a complication of placental abruption?

• A. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
• B. Placental abruption
• C. Decreased uteroplacental oxygenation
• D. Respiratory depression

Answer: (A)

Placental abruption can trigger a systemic activation of the clotting system because tissue factor from the placenta enters the maternal bloodstream as the placenta detaches. This sets off disseminated intravascular coagulation, a consumptive coagulopathy in which clotting factors and platelets are used up faster than the body can replace them. The result is a paradox of ongoing bleeding alongside small clots forming in vessels, which can lead to severe hemorrhage and organ dysfunction. Clinically, this shows up with abnormal coagulation studies (prolonged PT/PTT, low fibrinogen, high D-dimer) and bleeding from IV sites or incisions. DIC is a well-recognized complication of placental abruption, especially with large or ongoing detachment. By contrast, decreased uteroplacental oxygenation describes fetal hypoxia due to reduced placental perfusion, not a maternal complication, and respiratory depression is not a direct consequence of placental abruption.

Placental abruption can trigger a systemic activation of the clotting system because tissue factor from the placenta enters the maternal bloodstream as the placenta detaches. This sets off disseminated intravascular coagulation, a consumptive coagulopathy in which clotting factors and platelets are used up faster than the body can replace them. The result is a paradox of ongoing bleeding alongside small clots forming in vessels, which can lead to severe hemorrhage and organ dysfunction. Clinically, this shows up with abnormal coagulation studies (prolonged PT/PTT, low fibrinogen, high D-dimer) and bleeding from IV sites or incisions. DIC is a well-recognized complication of placental abruption, especially with large or ongoing detachment. By contrast, decreased uteroplacental oxygenation describes fetal hypoxia due to reduced placental perfusion, not a maternal complication, and respiratory depression is not a direct consequence of placental abruption.