Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy in Hyaline Membrane Disease: Massive Thrombosis Following Umbilical Artery Catheterization

Abstract

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in the newborn infant has received increasing attention in recent months^1,2. In the cases reported so far it occurs in the very sick newborn, including those with hyaline membrane disease and intra-uterine infections, such as rubella, cytomegalic inclusion disease, and herpes simplex. The majority of the cases reported have been associated with severe hyaline membrane disease although the cause of the coagulation defect is not yet clear. Failure to recognize the coagulation defect in the past is probably due to inadequate coagulation studies. The present management of hyaline membrane disease is based on the assumption that adequate ventilation is essential for the child's survival.