Consumption coagulopathy after severe head injury in children.

Cases of three infants and 3 children with clinically manifest generalized bleeding due to a consumption coagulopathy disorder (CC) after severe head injury are described. Despite invasive neurointensive care for normalization of intracranial pressure and coagulation factor replacement therapy, all patients died due to severe brain swelling with uncal and brainstem herniation. Abnormal bleeding in a comatose, head-injured patient with laboratory finding compatible with CC appears to be an expression of a very severe injury with poor prognosis.