Pediatric sampling considerations

Benefits of capillary blood sampling over venous sampling in pediatric patients

Capillary blood sampling is especially helpful in pediatrics. It’s less invasive, easier to do, and causes less discomfort for patients and their parents^1*
Venipuncture in children is often challenging and can be risky. Removing a larger amount of blood may also be dangerous for kids, especially those with anemia^1†
Puncturing deep veins in children can lead to painful bruising, bleeding, blood clots, infection, damage to nearby tissue, and other complications¹

EXPERT TIP:
Babies younger than six months, weighing less than 10kg, or not yet walking should have samples taken from the heel^2.
These materials were created with guidance from leading experts and are based on international guidelines. However, users should rely on their own professional judgment when applying any technique or method described here, and must consider all relevant national, regional, and institutional rules and regulations.

References

1. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document GP42-A6 (formerly H04-A6): Procedures and Devices for the Collection of Diagnostic Capillary Blood Specimens; Approved Standard – Sixth Edition. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA: 2008.
2. WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy. World Health Organization; 2010. * Except in specific cases where venous sampling is needed (like for arterial blood gases or tests that need larger blood amounts). ^† For premature infants, a 10ml sample is a big amount and can cause anemia¹.

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