Bleeding disorders in teenagers presenting with menorrhagia

To assess the prevalence of bleeding disorders and establish the clinical variables that are predictive of a bleeding disorder in adolescent women.

A retrospective audit of all patients who had coagulation tests following presentation with menorrhagia.

Inpatient and outpatients of a tertiary adolescent gynaecology service.

Subjects aged 9-19 years with menorrhagia who had coagulation tests performed, and who did not have a known bleeding disorder prior to presentation were included.

A bleeding screen was performed to assess prevalence of bleeding disorders in the population. Variables that were investigated as predictive of a bleeding disorder included clinical history, family history, and haematological indices of blood loss.

The prevalence of an inherited bleeding disorder was 10.4%. The only statistically significant predictor was a family history of bruising and bleeding. Menstrual history was not predictive.

Severity of menstrual loss was not predictive of a bleeding disorder, as a significant cause of teenage metrostaxis is due to anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The authors recommend that a careful personal and family history of bruising and bleeding be taken in all teenagers who present de novo with menorrhagia. Routine screening in a primary care setting is impractical, but should be mandatory in all patients with a positive family history.