Recurrent menorrhagia in an adolescent with a platelet secretion defect

Abstract

Background: Although von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, platelet function disorders are less well recognized as a cause of bleeding. We report a case of menorrhagia caused by an unsuspected platelet secretion defect.

Case: A 13-year-old Asian female, with unknown family history, presented with menorrhagia not responsive to intravenous conjugated estrogens, requiring transfusion of 7 units of packed red blood cells. Initial screening tests for bleeding disorders were normal; however, due to high clinical suspicion, further specific testing with platelet aggregometry was performed, which revealed a platelet secretion defect.

Summary and conclusion: The prevalence of platelet secretion defects in adolescents with menorrhagia is unknown, but may be higher than currently recognized. When screening tests are normal, yet suspicion remains high for an underlying hemostatic disorder, platelet aggregometry must be performed.