Which lab result is indicative of placental abruption?

Low fibrinogen levels are indicative of placental abruption due to the pathophysiological changes that occur in this condition. When placental abruption happens, there is often significant bleeding within the maternal circulation. The body responds to the bleeding by consuming clotting factors in an attempt to form clots and stop the hemorrhage, which can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In DIC, fibrinogen levels decrease as it is consumed in the process of clot formation. Therefore, a low fibrinogen level can be a critical marker for the diagnosis of placental abruption, as it signals the body's attempt to cope with acute blood loss and clotting demands.

In contrast, high fibrinogen levels would typically indicate a hypercoagulable state, which is not consistent with the bleeding associated with placental abruption. Similarly, an increased platelet count is generally a response to bleeding but does not specifically indicate abruption and can occur in other situations. Normal hemoglobin levels do not provide specific information about placental abruption since they might appear normal in the acute phase or could be affected by other factors. Overall, low fibrinogen levels are a key indicator reflecting the underlying coagulopathy associated with plac