EVALUATION OF EARLY DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULOPATHY ( DIC ) IN PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THE PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN ALEXANDRIA UNIVERSITY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Abstract

Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) is the most dramatic example of derangement of the delicately balanced coagulation system. Critically ill child in the PICU may develop catastrophic thrombotic and hemorrhagic syndrome of DIC as a final common pathway complicating their underling illness.

The present study aimed at the evaluation of early laboratory diagnosis and early management ofDIC in vulnerable patients admitted to the PICU, before the appearance ofthe clinical effects ofDIC.

The study included forty PICU patients. All studied patients were classified into three groups.

I. Suspected pre-DIC (SPD) group proved to be negative for D-dimer

(n=7).

2. Suspected pre-DIC (SPD) group proved to be positive for D-dimer

(n=18).

3. Overt DIC (OD) group presented to the PICU with clinically overt

DIC on admission (n=l5).

The studied patients were subjected to the following:

I II"

I. Through history taking and physical examination.