Diagnosis of DIC in newborn infants.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurs most frequently during the newborn period. Some clinical and laboratory criteria are available for the diagnosis of DIC in adults. However, they are not necessarily applicable in the diagnosis of DIC in newborn infants since the physiological state of coagulation during the newborn period differs from that in adults. We therefore reviewed 74 cases of DIC in newborns, including 34 cases at our own newborn care units. Criteria for the diagnosis of DIC in newborn infants were established.