with DIC is a systemic infection, usually a gram-negative septicemia. Also called consumption coagulopathy or defibrination syndrome, DIC may occur with abruptio placentae, acute hemolysis, anaphylactic reactions, burns, heat stroke, snake bites, trauma, toxin ingestion, extracorporeal shunts, malignancies, and other conditions(5). Good estimates of the incidence of DIC are not available because