Disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with hepatitis in late pregnancy.

A patient with viral hepatitis in the third trimester of pregnancy is described. She developed acute hepatic failure in the postpartum period which was associated with evidence of intravascular coagulation. Following therapy with heparin and fresh-frozen plasma, the patient made a dramatic recovery. Hepatitis developed during the puerperium may predispose to pathological intravascular coagulation and hepatocellular necrosis may thereby be perpetuated.