Chapter 6: Pediatric Draws and Capillary Blood Collection

Pediatric Blood Draws

Use a winged infusion set with a small sized needle (23G) and small pediatric tubes are used for these draws

Pediatric Draw Amount

• 1% to 5% of an infant total blood volume within 24 hour period

• maximum allowed volume varies with the baby’s weight

Pain Relief for Pediatric Patients

• providers can prescribe a numbing agent containing prilocaine and lidocaine which numbs the depth of 5mm

• numbing cream should not be applied to broken skin, rashes, or areas sensitive to topical treatment

Microcollection Tubes

• small plastic containers that can hold up .75mL of blood

• important to follow order of draw

• must invert tubes 8 to 10 times

Microhematocrit Tubes

• capillary tubes are thin and made out of glass used to collect small blood samples

• tube has two open ends like a straw

• tube should be about 2/3 full

Heel Sticks on Infants

• used for infants under 2 years old

• use a lancet with the proper length

• area to poke should be plantar surface

Puncture of Depth for Infants

• for preterm infants: heal puncture depth is 0.85mm

• for full term infants: heal puncture depth is 2.0mm

Collection of a bilirubin specimen for Infant

• collect the sample quickly to avoid exposure to light

• amber colored microtubes should be used

• if amber tubes are unavailable then must cover clear tube with foil to protect it and can be transported in a dark specimen bag

Puncture Depth for Children and Adults (fingertip punctures)

• in children: depth of 1.5mm to 2.4mm (depending on skin thickness)

• for adults: 2.0mm to 2.4mm