Platelet Function Disorders and Menorrhagia in Adolescents: A Review of Laboratory Diagnosis

This article provides an overview of the prevalence and pathophysiology of platelet function disorders (PFDs) in adolescents with menorrhagia. In addition, this article reviews the various testing modalities employed for diagnosing PFDs including platelet aggregometry, platelet function analyzer (PFA-100), platelet electron microscopy (EM), flow cytometry, and thromboelastography (TEG), discuss their utility and drawbacks, and allude to the recent recommendations and consensus statements about some of these modalities. Finally, the authors have sketched out a diagnostic algorithm for platelet function testing, which will guide treating physicians to a step-wise approach while evaluating adolescents with menorrhagia for PFDs.