Definition of Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC):

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become abnormally active.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Normally, when you are injured, certain proteins in the blood become activated and travel to the injury site to help stop bleeding. However, in persons with DIC, these proteins become abnormally active.

Small blood clots form within the blood vessels. Some of these clots can clog up the vessels and cut off blood supply to various organs such as the liver or kidney. These organs will then stop functioning. Over time, the clotting proteins become "used up." When this happens, the person is then at risk for serious bleeding from even a minor injury.

This disorder can result in clots or, more often, in bleeding. The bleeding can be severe.

Risk factors for DIC include:

• Blood transfusion reaction
• Cancer, including leukemia
• Infection in the blood by bacteria or fungus
• Pregnancy complications (such as retained placenta after delivery)
• Recent surgery or anesthesia
• Sepsis (an overwhelming infection)
• Severe liver disease
• Severe tissue injury (as in burns and head injury)