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Published on: September 9, 2012
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Varying Age Groups Based on Clinical Conditions
Elizabeth Geyer-Roberts1, Tanisha Akhand1, Alexandra Blanco1
1Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, USA.
Insights
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a critical condition affecting vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and the elderly. This review details DIC
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
Background:
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a life-threatening condition involving systemic blood coagulation activation, leading to thrombosis, organ dysfunction, and bleeding.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of underlying causes are crucial for treating DIC.
- Certain populations, including pediatric patients, pregnant women, and the elderly, face higher risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on DIC in pregnancy, pediatric populations, and the elderly.
- To highlight similarities and differences in etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of DIC across these vulnerable groups.
- To enhance awareness and facilitate early recognition and diagnosis of DIC in at-risk populations.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of existing studies on DIC in pregnancy, pediatrics, and geriatrics.
- Comparative analysis of etiological factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies.
- Synthesis of findings to identify unique and shared characteristics of DIC in these specific demographic groups.
Main Results:
- DIC presents with varied clinical features and underlying causes across pediatric, pregnant, and elderly individuals.
- Diagnostic challenges and management strategies may differ significantly based on the patient's age and physiological state.
- Specific risk factors and disease trajectories are observed in each vulnerable group.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the nuances of DIC in pregnancy, pediatrics, and the elderly is essential for effective clinical management.
- Tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are necessary to improve outcomes for these high-risk populations.
- Increased clinical awareness of DIC's varied presentations can lead to more timely and accurate diagnoses.
Abstract:
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious syndrome characterized by the systemic activation of blood coagulation resulting in the thrombosis of vessels leading to organ dysfunction and severe bleeding. When physicians try to treat DIC, it is imperative to diagnose and treat the underlying conditions. Anyone can be affected by DIC, but vulnerable groups such as pediatric populations, pregnant women and the elderly may be at higher risk. In this review, the current literature on DIC in pregnancy, the pediatric population, and the elderly is reported. This review also highlights the similarities and differences in the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of DIC in the aforementioned groups (i.e., pediatrics, pregnant women, and the elderly). Findings from this study may help increase awareness about various presentations of DIC in these groups to facilitate rapid recognition of symptoms leading to correct diagnoses.
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