title: Quantifying the PBAC in a pediatric and adolescent gynecology population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the usefulness of the pictorial blood assessment chart (PBAC) for use as a valid screening tool for menorrhagia in adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  To conduct a prospective survey paired with retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine mean PBAC scores among adolescents presenting with menorrhagia versus normal or infrequent cycles. To determine the PBAC scores among adolescents self-identifying as having heavy, normal, or light menses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-three subjects met criteria. Teens self-identified as having "light," "medium," or "heavy" cycles. Groups were then subdivided: Group 1 "heavy menses," Group 2 "normal menses," and Group 3 "light menses." The mean age of menarche was similar in all groups: 11.59 ± 1.56 years, 11.41 ± 1.51 years, 11.78 ± .83 years in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean PBAC score for the cohort was 195, while the mean PBAC in Group 1 was 362, compared to 136 and 44 for Groups 2 and 3, respectively ( p < .002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to address the use of the PBAC in an adolescent population. In addition, this study evaluates mean PBAC scores among teens who self-identify as having heavy, normal, or light periods. The incidence of bleeding disorders among those with menorrhagia was 20%, consistent with previously published studies.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andrabi
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bercaw
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Dietrich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008598:Menstruation; D011446:Prospective Studies