How to take blood from a vein from a baby - collection methods

Medicine cannot be imagined without accurate medical tests.

Diagnostic laboratories provide the patient with basic information about the condition of his body.

If no extraneous issues arise with the testing of an adult, then the parents of a recently born baby often do not know how to take blood from a vein from a baby.

The purpose of laboratory research varies. The main purpose is to help diagnose various diseases.

• Obligatory albucid

A mandatory procedure in the maternity hospital is the instillation of albucid into the baby's eyes.
Some mothers may be frightened by the possible allergic reaction of the baby in this case - redness of the baby's eyelids in the first few hours after the procedure. However, such a reaction passes without a trace, at the same time, by the way, helping to identify the baby’s tendency to allergies. Such a child will have to introduce complementary foods, new types of foods, and use unfamiliar medications with great caution. Therefore, it is better to immediately find out about the presence of allergies.

In principle, the mother may ask not to bury the baby with albucid. However, the newborn may develop conjunctivitis if this procedure is not done. The fact is that the baby, passing through the mother’s birth canal, came into contact with the mother’s microflora. But such contact does not always pass without a trace; the mother’s microflora can adversely affect the baby. To prevent a child from getting conjunctivitis, it is enough that the mother has traces of an untreated infection in the past or the ubiquitous thrush, which is almost impossible to get rid of during pregnancy.

Therefore, in all maternity hospitals, they follow the recommendations of the SES, and instill albucid into the eyes of all newborns, twice, at intervals of several hours. In addition, for girls, the baby’s genitals are also treated with the same product. This is done three times, also at intervals of several hours.

How is blood taken from a vein from a baby?

The baby's blood must be taken from a vein on an empty stomach.
It is advisable to go for analysis in the early morning hours so that the baby can eat immediately after the procedure. This issue should be discussed with your pediatrician in advance. Please note: the child’s hands must be warm before the injection; in this case, the nurse will easily draw the required amount of blood without repeated needle insertions. Most often, blood is drawn from the elbow (same as in adults)

The injection site is first thoroughly wiped with alcohol for disinfection. A tourniquet is applied to the shoulder, a sample is taken with a syringe, transferred to a test tube, and then the tourniquet is removed. After manipulation, damaged skin is again subjected to antiseptic treatment

Most often, blood is drawn from the elbow (same as in adults). The injection site is first thoroughly wiped with alcohol for disinfection. A tourniquet is applied to the shoulder, a sample is taken with a syringe, transferred to a test tube, and then the tourniquet is removed. After the manipulations, the damaged skin is again subjected to antiseptic treatment.

In children under 3-4 years of age, the cubital vein is very difficult to find, so blood can be taken from the forearm, the back of the hand, or from the calves of the legs. If large vessels cannot be found, as a last resort, biological material can be taken from the veins of the head (forehead).

• Why does a baby need sweet medicine?

There are also other procedures prescribed for each newborn child personally. For example, a baby may be given water with glucose (that is, sugar). Why is this being done? The fact is that in some babies, after birth, the level of glucose in the blood drops significantly, and this is fraught. This risk group includes children whose mothers suffer from some kind of endocrinological disorders, diabetes mellitus, first of all.

But if from the very first day you manage to breastfeed your baby at his request, then you won’t have to give him sweet water: he can get everything his body needs along with his mother’s milk.

Albucid for newborns

Another mandatory procedure is to instill albucid into the eyes of a newborn.

Firstly, this is done to prevent eye diseases in the child. The baby, passing through the birth canal, comes into contact with the mother's microflora, and harmful bacteria can enter his eyes, which can cause conjunctivitis and other eye diseases. The genitals of girls are also treated with Albucid for the same purpose.

Secondly, this substance allows you to identify the baby’s allergic tendencies at an early stage.

Yes, the procedure scares many mothers, because the newborn experiences redness of the eye membrane for the first few hours after instillation of albucid. However, this is completely normal and everything returns to normal the very next day.

These are the tests they take in the maternity hospital, the very first in every person’s life - a genetic test and a blood test from the umbilical cord.

Read our section - Congenital diseases.

In what cases is it necessary to draw blood from a vein to an infant?

Venous blood is taken even from newborns and premature babies. This is often required to determine the level of bilirubin in newborns with jaundice and hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Blood is also taken from a vein to determine its group and rhesus if the baby is undergoing surgery or requires a transfusion of blood or its components (erythrocyte mass, platelets, plasma).

It is necessary to determine the blood type of all newborn children if their mother has the first blood group and negative Rh, since there is a high risk of developing a conflict between the organisms of the mother and child based on blood type and Rh factor.

Very often, blood is taken from a vein from infants if they are being examined for allergies. In these cases, parents are also offered to donate blood for groups of food or household allergens. We can discuss for a long time the advisability of screening children under one year old for allergens, but the topic of today’s publication is different. So we will limit ourselves to stating a fact - to examine a child for allergies, you need to take blood from a vein.

A biochemical analysis of venous blood can be prescribed by a doctor in various situations, as it reflects the functioning of many internal organs. For example, such a study cannot be replaced by anything if it is necessary to evaluate liver function in cases of suspected hepatitis, if there is prolonged jaundice, or an increase in liver size (hepatomegaly). In case of anemia (decrease in hemoglobin level), the specialist is interested in the level of iron, transferrin, and total iron-binding capacity of the serum in blood biochemistry.

The biochemistry of venous blood will also help to assess kidney function if pyelonephritis is suspected and monitor blood glucose levels. Although it must be said that to determine sugar it is not necessary to take blood from a vein. Blood sugar is most often monitored in capillary blood (finger prick).

To verify various viral and bacterial infections, infants may be prescribed a serological blood test. This may include tests for cytomegalovirus, herpes, chlamydia, whooping cough and other infections. Serological testing also requires blood from a vein.

Blood sampling from a vein is also carried out to determine hormone levels if hormonal pathology is suspected and if it is necessary to exclude genetic diseases.

In general, there are many cases when a baby simply needs to undergo a very unpleasant and painful procedure in order to take blood from a vein.

Important information

Many parents are concerned about the correct blood levels in the child’s body. A general analysis examines: red blood cells, white blood cells, as well as hemoglobin, lymphocytes, monocytes, and other elements. They also determine the cell size, shape and maturity of red blood cells. Platelets are responsible for blood clotting. The number of these elements is determined using general analysis. Biochemical analysis from a vein helps identify triglycerides. Blood is also taken for allergies.

Below is a detailed transcript:

They participate in most processes: they deliver oxygen to organs from the lungs and remove carbon dioxide. Blood red cells get this color due to the fact that they contain hemoglobin. The norms depend only on age. Immediately after birth, on the 1st and 3rd days, the norms should be as follows: red blood cells - 4.0 to 6.6 × 10¹²/l.

On the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th days the norm (erythrocytes) is 4.0 to 6.6 × 10¹²/l. Red blood cells at week 2 – 3.6 to 6.2×10¹²/l. If the standards are lowered, the child may develop anemia. It occurs as a result of various reasons, but ultimately weakens the body, since the organs are less supplied with blood.

If red blood cells are low, you should consult a doctor to prevent dangerous conditions and diseases.

In young children, the norms of cells such as red blood cells are rarely elevated. These are usually abnormal conditions called erythremia. The levels of erythrocytes in the blood can be high in case of heart disease, blood diseases, or dehydration of the entire body.

Parents also need to know about rdw. This is an indicator of heterogeneity in the volume of all red blood cells. Drawing blood for rdw helps determine the difference between small and large cells. As soon as cells of different sizes appear in the blood, anisocytosis begins. This happens with age, but sometimes the phenomenon occurs due to anemia or a malignant tumor. To rule this out, doctors recommend taking a blood sample to test for rdw.

Usually, children's blood is taken for RDW when a general analysis is prescribed. If there is a suspicion of illness or anemia, they may suggest taking blood from a vein and then do an rdw test. Typically, a blood test from a vein for rdw helps determine the type of anemia, as well as diagnose it.

Blood is drawn for rdw on an empty stomach, the analysis is taken from a vein. The rdw norm for children under six months is 14.9–18.7%; for a child older than one year, the rdw norm is 11.6–14.8%. If the rdw readings from the vein are high or low, an examination should be performed.

They are blood platelets. They do not live long, they exist for 2–10 days, then they are destroyed in organs, usually in the liver and spleen. Platelets perform an important function: they form a clot and close fragments of damage in blood vessels, preventing infections. Platelets stop bleeding and restore damaged tissue.

Normal blood levels of substances such as platelets:

1. under the age of one year, platelets – 150–350*109/l;
2. in children older than one year – 180–320*109/l;
3. in newborns – 100–420*109/l.

If the standards are elevated, the child develops thrombocytosis. Usually occurs during major operations, anemia, unexpected bleeding, pneumonia, malignant tumors, and bone fractures.

There is another reason why platelets are high in the blood. The child's brain cells may not develop well.

If the norms are lowered, this demonstrates thrombocytopenia. Indicates an existing allergy to drugs. Sometimes reduced standards are a consequence of infectious diseases. This can also be influenced by the taking or transfusion of blood, which contains small amounts of platelets.

Important substances - lymphocytes are responsible for the immune system of the whole body. These are one of the main cells. This means that lymphocytes are able to produce protective bodies that protect the body from harmful bacteria and aggressive environments.

The norms for cells such as lymphocytes in children under one year of age are 50. At 4 years of age, the norms do not change. Lymphocytes also remain at the normal level of 50.

Sometimes lymphocytes can be high. Reasons why the rules have changed:

• infections;
• medications that caused hypersensitivity and allergies;
• diseases of the endocrine system, bronchial asthma, other diseases;
• periods of recovery after illnesses, operations;
• starvation, severe anemia.

1. the child has flu, inflammatory processes;
2. burns, injuries;
3. major operations were performed;
4. immunodeficiency;
5. pustules, inflammation.

Lymphocytes are important substances in the body of infants, so you need to ensure that they are normal. Otherwise, the child’s body will not be able to resist diseases and infections, from which lymphocytes protect.

They are large areas of white blood. Monocytes perform an important function: they destroy bad microbes. Indicators that monocytes should contain:

If monocytes are elevated, this indicates a serious infection. This is why a general blood test is so important if children are diagnosed with the disease. Syphilis, malaria, tuberculosis - elevated monocytes may well indicate these serious diseases. Transcription will be required.

If monocytes in the blood are elevated, parents should be wary: the child may have a serious infection in a fragile body. Monocytes may also indicate existing malignant tumors. Monocytes may also be reduced. The standards are lowered if children have leukemia.

Screening. Genetic analysis

Newborn screening is the process of taking blood from an infant. Blood is taken from the heel, because finding a vein in newborns is difficult, and it is impossible to get the required amount of blood from the toe.

A genetic blood test can reveal whether a child has such congenital dangerous diseases as hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria, as well as almost 50 other rare diseases.

Early diagnosis of the two diseases mentioned above allows treatment to begin sooner, which in turn can play an important role in the child’s future life. Hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria are severe congenital diseases that are caused by metabolic disorders in the baby’s body, which lead to serious consequences - mental and physical retardation, lifelong disability.

A blood test for hypothyroidism in a newborn, done in the maternity hospital, shows the amount of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) in the blood.

Hypothyroidism is associated with dysfunction of the thyroid gland. This greatly affects the development of the child’s nervous system and his brain. Hypothyroidism can cause neurological disorders and mental retardation in a child.

A test for phenylketonuria is done to detect phenylalanine; its elevated level in the blood indicates that the baby has phenylketonuria.

Phenylketonuria is a hereditary disease; we wrote about it in detail in our article here. A gene mutation causes a deficiency of a special enzyme in the body, which causes disturbances in amino acid metabolism. Pheninalanine is not converted into tyrosine in the body of a person with phenylketonuria. Because of this, pheninalanine intoxication occurs, the activity of the central nervous system is disrupted, the proper functioning of other organs is disrupted, and the human body is gradually destroyed.

Blood sampling from the heel for genetic analysis is done on the 3rd-5th day of a newborn’s life, if he was born at term and the pregnancy proceeded normally. And on the 14th day, if the baby is premature or there is reason to assume the worst, for example, when mom and dad are carriers of a mutated gene that causes severe hereditary diseases.

Tests of the newborn taken in the maternity hospital are interpreted in special laboratories. If the result is negative, that is, the baby is healthy, then neither the maternity hospital, nor the clinic, nor the parents are notified of anything. If the result is positive, the laboratory calls the clinic to which the baby is assigned after discharge from the maternity hospital so that mother and baby come to the clinic for the test again. Therefore, if you have not received a call, it means that everything is fine with your child.

You should wait about a month for the results of such tests.

Analysis result

The analyzer, having studied the composition of the sample, will print out a detailed result, which will then be sent to the pediatrician who referred you for a blood test. Based on the composition, ratio and behavior of the cells, the doctor will form a complete picture of the health status of your baby. An excess or deficiency of certain substances may signal the onset of diseases, the presence of inflammatory processes, or dysfunction of some internal organs of the baby.

Leukocytes

From anatomy lessons we remember that these are white cells, whose task is to protect the body. If the rate of leukocytes in the child’s blood increases, the pediatrician will suspect the presence of inflammatory processes in the baby.

Based on the degree of maturity of a certain type of leukocyte, a specialist can determine how long ago the inflammation began and when the jumps in their formation occurred. Also, by the appearance of white bodies, you can diagnose the following in a baby:

• presence of an allergic reaction;
• parasite infection;
• transition of the disease to the chronic phase;
• dysfunction of the hematopoietic system.

A separate line in the CBC and biochemical study is lymphocytes - one of the types of leukocytes. In children under one year of age, its level is greatly increased, but this does not indicate that the baby has inflammation or allergies. The fact is that at this age a child’s lymphocytes work at half capacity, so for its own protection the body simply produces them in huge volumes. Over time, lymphocytes become more active, and by the age of five to seven years, their percentage ratio to other elements of leukocytes begins to decrease.

The norm of leukocytes in newborns will vary depending on their type and the “age” of the cells created by the immune system. When assessing the result of a blood test or biochemistry, a specialist will definitely take into account the number of all types of blood cells and their ratios.

ESR

This abbreviation stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It deviates from the norm when there is an inflammatory process in the body. When you become ill, red blood cells begin to stick together, become heavier, and settle in a laboratory test tube faster than in samples from a healthy person.

Red blood cells and hemoglobin

In addition to ESR, the laboratory must evaluate the red blood cells themselves. The color of blood cells, their coloration, is the first indicator of whether there is enough hemoglobin in the red blood cell. A pale shade will indicate that the baby has anemia, bleeding or a malignant tumor. The color of red blood cells is too saturated - the doctor will suspect a pathology of the hematopoietic organs, an infectious disease or an episode of dehydration in the baby.

Platelets

Platelets clot blood, stopping bleeding. By their number in the sample, a specialist can determine the presence of diseases and pathologies in a child:

1. A lack of platelets accompanies coagulation disorders and may also indicate a recent injury to the baby with bleeding. Deficiency of these cells occurs against the background of infections, anemia, and malignant tumors.
2. An elevated platelet level in a child under one year old can be hereditary and entails a number of problems that the baby will face as he grows up. To correct this condition, the doctor may prescribe a special diet for the child. Also, too many platelets can signal the presence of chronic inflammation in the baby, for example, tuberculosis.

Sugar

Monitoring blood sugar levels is also very important for early diagnosis. The normal glucose level in infants is 2.8 - 4.4 mmol/l.

In order for the result of blood biochemistry to be reliable and the level not to be elevated, the child should not only be fed before the procedure, but you should also avoid using toothpaste on the day of sample collection, since the sugar contained in toothpastes for children can significantly distort the picture of the blood composition.

High blood sugar may indicate:

• the child has diabetes mellitus;
• problems in the endocrine system;
• pancreatic tumors;
• reactions to taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Sometimes elevated sugar is a reflection of severe obesity in an infant, which entails metabolic changes.

If high sugar is detected during a biochemical analysis, you must follow all the recommendations of your doctor, because with this blood condition, brain function in children significantly deteriorates, which in the first year of life can lead to serious deviations in the rate of development of your child.

Sugar levels below normal may be:

• with insufficient nutrition of children;
• when babies are dehydrated;
• accompany chronic diseases of the child, as well as diseases of the digestive system;
• against the background of pathologies and brain injuries in children;
• in case of poisoning of a child.

Protein

Elevated protein levels detected during biochemistry may indicate:

• about dehydration of the child’s body;
• the course of infectious diseases in a child;
• the presence of chronic hepatitis and other specific diseases in children.

Protein content below normal also requires close attention, because this signals:

• pancreatitis;
• diabetes mellitus;
• pleurisy;
• poisoning;
• bleeding;
• tumor processes;
• liver diseases;
• internal bleeding.

Other cells and substances

1. Bilirubin. An increased level of this substance in the blood will indicate liver diseases and pathologies.
2. Creatinine. Exceeding the norm indicates kidney problems in the baby.
3. Lipase. If this substance is detected in biochemistry, the specialist will suspect pancreatic pathology in the baby.
4. Amylase. It may signal the occurrence of acute forms of pancreatitis and renal failure in children, as well as the presence of the hepatitis virus in the child’s body.
5. Cholesterol. The presence of an elevated level of this substance in the baby’s blood indicates heart, liver or kidney disease.
6. Urea. Signals about tumors, kidney dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction and intestinal obstruction in children under one year of age.

Platelets

Platelets are colorless, flat plates that form in the bone marrow. They are responsible for stopping bleeding by forming a clot, as well as for the production of growth factors that accelerate tissue regeneration.

The norm of these cells is 180 - 400 x 109 / liter. A significant decrease in blood pressure (thrombocytopenia) can make it impossible for the child to stop even minor bleeding. Her reasons

1. allergies to medications
2. hematological pathologies
3. intoxication
4. thyrotoxicosis
5. some viral infections
6. parasites

If the level of platelets in an infant is exceeded, then we are talking about thrombocytosis. It may be the result of:

1. removal of the spleen
2. operations
3. bleeding
4. leukemia
5. infectious diseases of the respiratory system
6. tumors and so on

• Why are additional tests needed for hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria, and when should they be done?

First, let’s figure out what these congenital diseases are and why they are scary.

With this disease, children have insufficient thyroid function. And thyroid hormones, as we know, are absolutely necessary for the full development of the central nervous system in a child, and this need continues during the period of intrauterine development and then in the first years of the child’s life. With a lack of these hormones, the process of maturation of the child’s brain is disrupted, and can subsequently result in delayed mental development and neurological disorders.

Since a screening test or analysis for newborns in the maternity hospital is an indicative analysis, then, after receiving information about positive test results, the pediatrician prescribes a more in-depth examination of the baby with suspected hypothyroidism, in particular: consultation with an endocrinologist, additional studies of absolutely all thyroid hormones , x-ray examination of the thyroid gland, ultrasound of the thyroid gland.

Early diagnosis of the disease is incredibly important, since the beginning of treatment for the disease before the baby is 4-6 weeks of age subsequently ensures the full mental and physical development of most children

In addition to timely administration of treatment (medicines with thyroid hormones), it is very important that a child with hypothyroidism is fed breast milk from the first days of his life. The fact is that breast milk contains maternal thyroid hormones in quantities that can provide the baby with the minimum daily requirement of his body for them.

Phenylketonuria leads to the development of profound mental retardation in the child. This is an inherited, congenital metabolic disorder in the body. Its cause is a lack of an enzyme (phenylalanine hydroxylase), which is necessary for the normal metabolism of amino acids in the body - the constituent proteins of the body. If this enzyme is missing, the amino acid phenylalanine is not converted into another essential amino acid, tyrosine. The result of this is a sharp increase in the concentration of phenylalanine in the blood, which has a toxic effect on the child’s central nervous system. The disease manifests itself gradually: the activity of the central nervous system, namely the brain, is disrupted, leading to a delay in mental development in the child. Therefore, a test for phenylalanine is necessary for newborns in the maternity hospital.

If a baby is suspected of having phenylketonuria, after discharge from the hospital, additional special tests for phenylalanine are done, which include more accurate methods for identifying and determining the amount of this amino acid (the amino acid accumulates in large quantities in the body of babies) and its derivatives. To do this, research is carried out, doing blood tests in newborns and urine tests.

Analysis for genetic diseases

As already noted, the very first blood test is performed on a newborn. This is necessary to detect genetic diseases such as phenylketonuria or hypothyroidism. These genetic disorders are not fatal, but they can greatly affect a child's development. For example, with phenylketonuria in the first years of life, a child should not eat protein foods, otherwise his mental activity will be impaired. If parents follow a special diet for a child for several years, he grows up to be an absolutely normal person. But if you do not take a blood test immediately after birth, then after the first feeding the mental functioning of the brain will be irrevocably impaired. The expectant mother should be familiarized with the list of diseases to identify which blood will be taken for analysis before giving birth.

Preparing for analysis

Preparation for blood sampling from newborns comes down, first of all, to preparing the parents. The baby himself does not need to do anything special: the essence of what is happening is not clear to him. The only thing the baby will feel is short-term pain, but not severe. Of course, some difficulties may arise if the nurse does not immediately get into the vein. In this case, the child will have to be injected again. However, qualified medical personnel perform this procedure frequently and no particular problems should arise.

When taking blood from a vein, the baby must be held in your arms: the warmth of the mother will reflexively calm him down in an unknown environment. After entering the manipulation room, it is necessary to let the baby look around and get used to the unfamiliar room, as well as the medical worker who will touch the child.

During the procedure, it is better to hold the baby in your arms

Especially worried mothers can additionally use one cunning trick: smear the injection site with anesthetic cream. In this case, even the moment of the injection itself will be practically invisible to the baby. Children's doctors recommend using Emla cream in such cases; it is available at any pharmacy. The action will be similar to the use of Menovazin liquid.

The use of the latter, however, should be discussed with your doctor. By the way, it must be said that these drugs are successfully used by older children, as well as in some cases by adults. The mechanism of the ointment is simple - it freezes an area of ​​skin and deprives it of sensitivity. The use of such drugs will make visiting the manipulation room less stressful for the child, which in itself is a big plus.

Biochemical analysis

Blood is usually taken from infants not only for a general analysis, but also for biochemistry - from a vein. This is especially important for a child, since some elements, such as triglycerides, may indicate Down syndrome. Therefore, it is important to periodically draw blood from a vein from a child and examine the indicators.

A little more about substances such as triglycerides. This is a person’s fat reserve, they accumulate energy. Triglycerides accumulate in special cells - adipocytes. Triglycerides enter the body through diet.

Triglycerides make up a group of lipids and are sources of energy. They are produced in the intestines and kidneys. Triglycerides help determine pathologies in the body, especially in children. The norms for children under one year are 0.34–1.5 mmol/liter. These indicators and interpretation are approximate; you should check the standards with your doctor before donating blood from a vein.

If triglycerides in a child’s body are elevated, this may mean that:

• the child has gained weight;
• lipid metabolism is disturbed. This can also happen at birth;
• improper functioning of the thyroid gland;
• Down syndrome.

If a child's blood triglycerides are elevated, you should consult a doctor, who may prescribe a more detailed diagnosis. If triglycerides have increased due to excess weight, a diet is needed, as well as fish oil. The baby will need serious physical activity.

Another important element is bilirubin. This is a bile pigment. When the baby is born, the standards for a substance such as bilirubin are even higher, since by this time the biliary system has not yet formed in children.

If metabolism is disrupted, bilirubin accumulates, leading to jaundice. Increased bilirubin in a newborn is normal, and you definitely shouldn’t worry about it.

1. in newborns, bilirubin in the blood is 2.4–20.5 µmol/l;
2. after a month, bilirubin should be from 3.4 to 20.5 µmol/l;
3. in children older than one year, bilirubin is 3.4 to 17.1 µmol/l.

Bilirubin in the blood is usually exceeded for the following reasons:

• liver damage. Because of this, it cannot process incoming bilirubin;
• problems and disorders of the bile ducts. Because of this, bilirubin cannot be completely eliminated from the body;
• In children, liver secretion is impaired.

In case of disorders, bilirubin accumulates in considerable quantities, which leads to changes in skin color. It turns yellow and the baby develops jaundice.

source

What will help you get blood taken quickly and the first time?

Fortunately, modern equipment has now appeared that can highlight and visually show the course of human veins. Thanks to such visualization, you can easily access any vein, with any location, both for blood sampling and for placing a catheter.

The principle of operation of such devices (VEIN FINDER VIVO 500, VEIN FINDER VIVO 500S, LUCH-M) is to project a picture of the course of the veins onto the skin, as if the veins were illuminated from the inside in order to see them from the outside. In pediatric practice, this is especially important, since it is in children that loose subcutaneous fatty tissue is very developed, in which the vein is very difficult to find. This situation is popularly called “hiding veins.”

The natural question is: are the innovations in medical technology described above available in all medical institutions? No, they are not available in ordinary hospitals and clinics. And when these devices will be available to a wide range of clinics remains open.

How is blood taken from a vein from a baby?

First of all, a blood test from a vein is performed on an empty stomach. Therefore, it is worth signing up for it early in the morning so that the child can eat afterwards. It is very difficult to follow this rule with newborns and infants. But if you need an accurate result, for example when measuring glucose levels, then you should seriously discuss this issue with your pediatrician and find the optimal solution.

How is blood taken from a vein from a baby, namely, where (from which veins):

Elbow bend

The most common place to take blood from a vein in babies. The procedure is carried out in the same way as for adults: the arm is tied with a tourniquet, the injection site is lubricated with alcohol, a vein is punctured, then blood is collected in a test tube, the tourniquet is removed, the needle is removed and a cotton swab with alcohol is applied.

This blood collection site is not suitable for newborns and infants under 3-4 months of age, since the child is too small and it is not possible to feel the veins.

• Veins of the forearm.
• Back of the hand.
• Veins on the head/forehead, calves of the legs.

These blood collection sites are used when a vein for blood collection cannot be accurately located elsewhere in the baby's body.

Tips before taking a blood test from a vein

To make the process less worrying, it is advisable to take the test in a trusted clinic with a qualified, experienced nurse.

If you are asked to leave during a blood draw, treat this with understanding. There is no need for unnecessary nervousness, and nothing bad will happen in a couple of minutes of your absence. If the medical staff practices drawing blood without the presence of parents, then this is a proven and productive method, rest assured that everything will go well.

To distract/entertain your child, bring your favorite rattle. Or let it be new to interest the baby and help him quickly forget the unpleasant process.

After the procedure, give your child good positive emotions - hug and kiss, do what he loves with him - build a pyramid, read a book, watch your favorite cartoon, so that there is no negativity left.

Taking blood from a vein is an alarming process for both mother and baby. Painful sensations will cause slight discomfort to the baby, but within a few minutes they will disappear without a trace. Don’t create panic, be confident in the necessity of what is happening, then your child, looking at you, will behave calmer. Be healthy!

We also read:

• The child is afraid to donate blood. What to do?
• How to collect a urine test from a baby (boy and girl)?

Description of the procedure

How do they take a general blood test from a baby who is not yet sitting? The main goal of the specialist is to obtain liquid from the finger. To do this, he will have to apply maximum effort.

Features of blood sampling in newborns

They take blood from babies at 2 months, where it comes from. Usually punctures are made in the ring finger of the left hand. If the baby clenches his hands tightly into fists, then the big toe or the area next to the heel is pierced. Manipulation occurs according to a certain algorithm:

1. Prepare the workplace.
2. Wash your hands and treat them with alcohol.
3. Put on gloves.
4. Coat the puncture area with cotton wool.
5. An injection is made with a children's scarifier.
6. The sampling is carried out using a special capillary with a bulb.
7. The newborn's finger is clamped with a cotton swab.

Not all clinics have scarifiers for children, so adults use them. If the medical institution does not have them in stock, you can purchase a needle at the pharmacy. Laboratory assistants will not refuse parents and will carry out the procedure.

Where is blood taken?

If blood is taken from a vein according to indications, the nurse can take a test tube and pour some liquid into it for a general analysis. Some doctors do not see the difference between venous and capillary blood. Although it exists between them, although it is not significant.

The material is collected in a specially designated room. It's called "Laboratory". It is equipped with places for receiving patients, with all the necessary items and materials. There is a separate box of gloves on the specialist’s desk. After each patient, the laboratory technician is required to change gloves, sanitize the work surface and wash his hands.

What materials are used

To take fingerprint analysis, the following tools and materials are used:

• sterile cotton wool;
• antiseptic;
• scarifiers;
• glass capillaries;
• rubber bulb;
• laboratory glass;
• disposable gloves.

In children's medical institutions, they strictly monitor the availability of materials and compliance with the sanitary and epidemiological regime. Parents have nothing to worry about.

How to squeeze your finger so it doesn't hurt

To prevent pain for the child, the finger is pinched before the puncture. This is usually done by a specialist. In some cases, parental assistance may be needed. The ring finger of the left hand is first rubbed with the fingers so that there is a flow of blood. It should warm up. With your left hand, pinch your finger at the bend of the phalanx and make a sharp puncture. The faster the needle pierces the skin, the less pain the newborn will feel.

How long to wait for the research result

A clinical analysis is prepared within a working day, if there are no problems with the equipment, but no more than a week. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is 1 hour. Laboratory technicians recheck results that raise suspicions manually.

A complete blood count shows the overall health of the child. Parents are concerned about the blood sampling process. Children under one year old will not remember the pain, so there is no need to worry. Some babies may not wake up at all during the procedure. What causes anxiety in children is no longer the process of taking the test, but the unusual surroundings and unfamiliar people.

How can parents prepare?

Is blood taken from a vein from a baby? As was clarified earlier, yes, they do. And this necessary procedure is carried out to preserve the health of the newly born baby. Parents have to create a favorable atmosphere in the clinic for the child and support him. To do this, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:

• Calm down and don’t panic, this will keep your baby in a good mood.
• If the child is older than two months, then you can take his favorite toy with you, which will help him calm down.
• If possible, the mother is present during the blood draw, holding the baby in her arms, distracting him from unpleasant sensations.
• After the procedure, the child must be fed. To do this, you need to take with you a bottle with formula, expressed milk, or give breastfeeding. Food always calms a child.

Parents need to understand the importance of the test results and not worry. The calmness of the mother is transferred to the child

Preparation

In the case of a clinical blood test, no special preparation is required; all that is necessary is not to have breakfast or late dinner the day before the test. Experts say that at least 8 hours should pass since the last meal, but they do not limit fluid intake.

As in every case, there are exceptions - this is a serious condition of the child, in which it is necessary to do this analysis several times a day. Of course, in this case food intake is not taken into account.

Another exception is when the baby is very small, in this case it is impossible to physically take blood from such a patient on an empty stomach; here it is better to take tests two hours after eating.

For the average person, there are several general recommendations that must be followed:

1. Half a month before the scheduled day of clinical analysis, the patient must stop taking antibiotics and similar medications.
2. For a certain number of days you should not eat fried and fatty foods.
3. Do not drink alcoholic beverages a few days before.
4. Smokers have their own recommendations - do not smoke an hour before the procedure.
5. In 30 minutes you cannot do physical activity or experience psychological shock.

If blood is taken to check blood sugar levels, experts prohibit chewing gum, drinking tea or coffee, even without sugar, and doctors also do not recommend brushing your teeth.

The most appropriate time to take a general analysis is from seven in the morning to noon.

How is an exchange transfusion performed?

This procedure is carried out in a blood volume of no more than 150-180 ml/kg. This is approximately 80% of the total amount of all circulating blood in a newborn. For this purpose, exclusively prepared blood is used, which has been kept for at least three days - this is fresh blood. All indicators of donation in this case are as important as in other procedures. Therefore, in any case, a donor must be selected.

Even if the mother is suitable as a donor, her blood is not allowed to be taken for two months after birth. This primarily suggests that the mother’s body must recover from blood loss and be strong for further lactation.

During transfusion, only red blood cells can be replaced separately from plasma. In this case, the umbilical vein of the newborn is used, subject to all transfusion rules. You first need to remove 10-15 ml of blood from the child through a catheter, and then introduce a replacement in the required amount

Also in this transfusion procedure it is very important to monitor the speed, because it should not exceed more than 2-3 ml/minute

Typically, the total duration of a blood transfusion takes about two hours. During this time, every 100 ml an additional calcium chloride solution is injected into the vein. Such exchange transfusion in children allows timely prevention of death or the spread of further disease. As a result of this, indirect bilirubin is eliminated from the child’s body and gradual recovery occurs. It is a large amount of toxic indirect bilirubin that can be a lethal dose for newborns.

Other elements of the leukocyte formula

Basophils are involved in blood clotting and allergic reactions. Normally, their number does not exceed 1%. Sometimes they are not detected at all. The level of basophils increases with sinusitis, leukemia, gastrointestinal and thyroid pathologies, and decreases as a result of stress, Cushing's disease and acute infections.

Eosinophils are cells that digest immune complexes. Normally, their number is the same in both an adult and a child under one year old - 0.5 - 7%. Exceeding the level of eosinophils may indicate allergies, parasitic diseases, autoimmune pathologies, and tumor diseases of the blood. A decrease in cell number is the result of bacterial infection, stress, or treatment with glucocorticoids.

Monocytes break down microbes. Their norm is 2 – 12%. An excess is observed in viral diseases, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, heart pathologies, leukemia and neoplasms in the lymphatic system. A decrease in the number of monocytes is the result of deterioration in bone marrow function.

Lymphocytes synthesize antibodies and destroy “native” cells that have lost their properties as a result of exposure to foreign agents. Their norm, which ranges from 38-76%, is exceeded as a result of:

1. infectious diseases
2. taking certain medications
3. asthma
4. Crohn's disease, vascular pathologies
5. vitamin B12 deficiency
6. leukemia

In addition, there will be a lot of lymphocytes if you take the test during the recovery period after a serious illness. A decrease in the number of these cells occurs with purulent inflammation, HIV, autoimmune pathologies and increased adrenal function.

UAC norms in children

The detailed analysis form looks like a table that contains blood values ​​in one column, and in the other, respectively, reference values ​​for children of different ages for comparison.

This is very convenient, and even a person not familiar with medicine can see deviations in the table, if, of course, such are identified. Thus, a children's comprehensive CBC necessarily includes the following list of blood characteristics.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

A complex iron-containing protein, as well as an important component of red blood cells, which has the ability to attach oxygen and transport it to all tissues of the body. For a newborn in the first three days of life, the norm is 145-225 g/l; by 3-6 months the values ​​drop to 95-135 g/l. Gradually, as the child grows, hemoglobin standards approach those of adults - 120-160 g/l.

Red blood cells (RBC)

These are red blood cells, whose main duty is to transport hemoglobin through the bloodstream to various organs. Newly born babies often have an increased content of red blood cells, which is equal to the norm - 3.9-6 million/μl. For children from one to 12 years of age, the reference values ​​are considered to be 3.8-5.1, which differ little from the norms for adults.

Color index (MCHC)

This coefficient is the average concentration of Hb in the blood. It is calculated using a special formula and directly depends on the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin content. Normally, in a child’s blood, the resulting coefficient should not leave the range of 0.8-1.05.

Reticulocytes (RTC)

These are the precursors of red blood cells, or the so-called young red cells. They circulate in the bloodstream and are ready, if necessary, to transform into full-fledged mature cells. In childhood, as well as in older age, their content should normally be no more than 1% of the total number of red blood cells.

Platelets (PLT)

These formed particles control the coagulation process, forming a clot, the so-called thrombus, on the damaged area of ​​​​tissue. The normal concentration of platelets in the blood of a child under one year of age ranges from 180-490 U/μl. From one year to 12 years, the reference values ​​are considered to be 160-390, and later from 12-15 years – 160-360.

Thrombocrit (PST)

A coefficient indicating the ratio of the volume of whole blood to the number of platelets. For children and adults, the norms do not differ and are equal to 0.1-0.4%.

ESR (ESR)

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is one of the most important characteristics of blood, and therefore is always performed in the process of general analysis, both abbreviated and expanded. This parameter provides an opportunity to evaluate the protein composition of whey. In newborn infants it should not exceed 0-2 mm/h, in infants from one year to 6 years old - 12-17 mm/h, in older children from 6 to 10 years old - 0-10, and in adolescents - 0-20 .

Interesting fact! The blood of children and adults differs not only in its basic composition - with age, the ratio of body weight and its volume changes significantly. If in newly born babies blood makes up approximately 15% of their weight, then in adults it is only 7%.

Reference values ​​of UAC for children of different ages

White blood cells (WBS)

Colorless, or, as they are more often called, white blood cells, the main function of which is to protect the body from the introduction of various infections and toxic substances. The norms of their content in the blood of a child immediately after birth are much higher than the values ​​of a healthy adult and can fluctuate in the range of 9-30 billion/l. As the baby grows, the indicator drops noticeably and already at 1-3 years it becomes 6-17, and later from 6 years to 10 - 6-11.

Leukocyte formula

Determining a leukogram (the second name for the leukocyte formula) involves a separate count of each subtype of leukocytes. In the first two weeks after birth, the baby contains neutrophils (indicated in the NEUT formula) 31-56%, lymphocytes (LYM) - 22-55%, monocytes (MON) - 5-15%, eosinophils (EOS) - 1.6% and basophils (BAS) up to 1%, which is unchanged for all ages.

A baby up to one year old contains: neutrophils - 17-51%, lymphocytes - 45-70%, monocytes - 4-10%, eosinophils - 1-5%. In healthy older and adolescent children (15 years old), neutrophils do not exceed 30-60%, lymphocytes - 30-50%, monocytes - 3-10% and eosinophils - 1-6%.

Plasma cells

These formed elements serve for the synthesis of specific antibodies. Normally, children should have no more than a few of them (1 piece per 200-400 leukocytes), otherwise it is considered a violation.

Leukocytes

Leukocytes (white cells) are round-shaped cells with a central nucleus that take an active part in immune reactions. They carry out phagocytosis (capture and digestion) of pathological microorganisms, toxins and decay products. The norm of leukocytes is – 5.5 – 12.5 x 109/liter;

An increase in the number of white cells, leukocytosis, in a child under one year old may indicate:

1. development of pathologies of an inflammatory or infectious nature (the higher the indicator, the higher the severity)
2. tumors
3. blood diseases
4. kidney failure and so on

A slight excess is also possible in healthy children after a heavy meal or physical activity. This is why it is recommended to donate blood on an empty stomach.

A low level of white blood cells, leukopenia, occurs due to:

1. measles, rubella, typhoid, influenza and some other pathologies
2. problems with the endocrine system
3. bone marrow dysfunction
4. poisoning with toxic substances

To assess the condition of an infant, not only the level of leukocytes is important, but also the leukocyte formula - a decoding that illustrates the number of individual types of cells: neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. Their indicator is measured as a percentage of the total number of white cells.

General blood analysis

A general blood test is a necessary study that is carried out regularly, at 5 days of a child’s life, 1 month, six months and a year, 5 years and 10. Despite the fact that a general blood test at 1 year, 5 years or even 10 is not able to show , what kind of disease exists in the body, it is he who indicates that in general there is something wrong with health. Based on the results of the general analysis, doctors prescribe additional examinations, and it is from this that they monitor the dynamics of the course of the disease during its treatment.

When conducting a general analysis, the blood is examined for the level of hemoglobin, the number of all blood cells, as well as their ratio.

Low hemoglobin levels can cause anemia and internal bleeding, red blood cell indices are needed to determine the blood's saturation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen, and white blood cell levels indicate how well the body's immune system is working. It is by the level of leukocytes that the doctor can determine whether there are pockets of inflammation somewhere. And due to the fact that these blood cells are divided into several types, preliminary conclusions can be drawn about the cause of the inflammatory process - bacteria, infection, allergy. Inflammation is also diagnosed by ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The higher this indicator, the more acute the disease. Thus, a general blood test must be taken, and in order to independently compare the indicators, you can ask the doctor to provide a table of norms.