AbstractsObstetrical complications, such as abruptio placentae and prolonged retention of a dead fetus, are often associated with coagulation changes that may extend to disseminated intravascular coagulation. The latter is secondary to passage into the maternal blood of thromboplastic or fibrinolysis-reducing material from the placenta or the amniotic fluid. Acute renal failure in the course of obstetrical complications is reported to be very severe, and disseminated intravascular coagulation is commonly implicated as a causative agent. The present paper reports a series of 10 cases of acute renal failure following obstetrical complications. Serial coagulation studies were made in an assessment of the mechanisms involved.Abruptio placentae was the complication in six cases. Retained placental fragments were discovered on review of the uterine cavity in three cases of persistent metrorrtiagia following vaginal delivery at term. In the 10th case, examination of a patient with retention of a dead fetus at