In order to assess the state of health of a baby who was born, in the first hours of his life they take blood from him for analysis. For routine examinations, this is usually done from the finger, but venous blood testing is required in some situations. This article will discuss how blood is taken from a vein from infants and what needs to be done so that the procedure does not become an injury to the baby and mother.
Why is venous blood necessary?
Blood from the vein of a newborn is necessary to detect certain diseases in order to begin their treatment in a timely manner. Serious health problems may include the following:
- Allergy - with skin rashes in an infant, it is necessary to identify an allergen that causes a serious reaction of the body to its presence.
- For problems with the functioning of the liver: organ enlargement, prolonged jaundice.
- Assessment of kidney function - a suspicion of inflammatory processes in them.
- Determination of the Rhesus factor and blood group - is done in emergency situations when surgical intervention or blood transfusion is required.
- To confirm or deny bacterial or viral infections: herpes, whooping cough, measles, chlamydia.
- Detection of hormone levels - if there is a suspicion of a hormonal abnormality or genetic disease.
There are many other cases when blood sampling from a vein in infants is necessary.
Features of the vessels of babies
In infants, the subcutaneous fat layer of fiber has a loose structure and is equipped with many small blood vessels, so larger veins are poorly visible. Moreover, the walls of even large vessels in newborns are not fully formed and inelastic, therefore fragile. The pressure in the veins is low - the blood flows out slowly, which requires more time to take the material for analysis.
Where does the blood from the vein from the baby come from?
The following places can be used to collect venous blood from a baby:
- Elbow bend - in a newborn up to three months, it is often not possible to detect the ulnar vein.
- Forearm or foot.
- The back of the hand.
- Leg calves.
- Veins on the surface of the head and forehead are used in extreme cases when manipulation cannot be carried out on other parts of the body.
Parents are often interested in the question: is it possible instead of venous to take an analysis of capillary blood taken from the heel or finger of the baby? It turns out that it is impossible, because their composition is completely different, and the volume of blood is relatively large, and it is impossible to take from the finger. It is believed that the procedure for taking blood from a finger is more traumatic than from a vein.
How to take blood from a vein from infants?
All tests are given on an empty stomach in the morning. For infants, these conditions are not necessary to observe, although you should try to perform the procedure between feedings. In this case, it is necessary:
- consult a doctor if a child is taking medication;
- do not donate blood after physiotherapy, massage, x-rays and ultrasound.
The technique of blood sampling in infants is the same as in adults. In this case, a tourniquet is applied, which is applied above the elbow to the middle part of the shoulder. The injection site of the needle into the blood vessel is treated with a disinfectant. A needle is inserted, the tourniquet is loosened, and the required volume of blood is taken. The needle is released from the vessel, the tourniquet is removed, the injection site is clamped with a cotton swab with an antiseptic to stop the blood.
Needles and syringes
How is blood taken from a vein from infants? To do this, there are special syringes, test tubes and syringes, systems that make it possible to vacuum blood sampling. They are intended for taking blood for a specific analysis. For this, the syringes are equipped with multi-colored caps, so that it is possible to visually determine which one to use in a particular case. Each tube is already filled with a special kind of reagent.
A vacuum vacuum was created in it, as a result of which the necessary volume of blood was recorded for a specific analysis, which is gained in 6-8 seconds. Through a bilateral needle, blood flows directly into the test tube without contact with the external environment, providing increased accuracy of the analysis. The capacity is made of plastic, which makes it practical.
What are butterfly needles?
How is blood taken from a vein from infants to minimize pain and take it quickly? To do this, use butterfly needles equipped with a long catheter and two wing-shaped stoppers, very similar to this insect.
This model of needles can be used to collect biological fluid in patients of any age, but it is especially suitable for newborns and infants. Strong fixation of the catheter easily allows you to take blood from the most active and scared babies. One of the benefits of a needle is its minimal damage to tissue. These needles were widely used in intensive care units.
How to prepare for parents?
Does a baby take blood from a vein? As it was clarified earlier, yes, they take it. And this necessary procedure is carried out to maintain 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 advised to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Calm down and not panic, this will support the baby in a good mood.
- If the child is over two months of age, then you can bring along his favorite toy, which will help him calm down.
- If possible, the mother is present during blood sampling, holds the baby in her arms, distracting him from discomfort.
- After the procedure, the child must be fed. To do this, you need to bring a bottle with the mixture, expressed milk or give a breast. Food always soothes a child.
Parents need to understand the importance of the results of the analysis and not worry. Calm mother transmitted to the child.
Test results
After receiving a form with the results of the analysis, the parents independently try to decipher them, seeing that their values ​​differ from the norm. Do not do this. The doctor prescribes studies for himself and doctors of other specialties in order to, after analyzing all the data, make up a complete picture of the child’s health status. Only a highly qualified doctor can correctly interpret all the data, comparing different indicators with each other. After all, the results depend on the excitement, temperature, food consumed and many other factors. If in doubt, the doctor prescribes additional studies and only then draws conclusions about the health of the child.
Venous blood collection equipment
To donate blood from a vein to a baby, you can use the modern venovisor device, which facilitates access to the vessels. The principle of operation of such devices is to obtain a projection of the course of the veins on the skin, as if they were illuminated from the inside to see from the outside. In pediatrics, this is especially true, since very loose subcutaneous fat of babies makes it difficult to find vessels.
Difficulties in blood sampling in newborns still arise due to its thick consistency and low blood pressure. Blood donation to an empty stomach ends up getting into a vein, but there wasn’t enough blood. Therefore, before analysis, it is recommended to water the children with water.
Where to take a blood test for babies?
Parents need to take a responsible approach to the choice of a medical institution and consult with friends in advance how blood is taken from a vein from infants in a particular medical laboratory. Much depends on the medical professional. He must be a true master of his craft and carry out all manipulations quickly and painlessly, without causing the baby anxiety and fright. An important role is played by the positive psychological attitude of adults.
It is important to believe that competent medical staff will perform all manipulations correctly and without unnecessary pain. To minimize the unpleasant consequences, the child needs to be given a little time to get comfortable with the new procedural environment. Some clinics practice taking biological fluid without the presence of parents. Do not be surprised and do not resist if you are asked to leave the room during the blood sampling. Specialists know their work, and in a few minutes of waiting in the hallway with the baby nothing bad will happen.
Conclusion
It is impossible to judge a baby’s state of health by a single biochemical blood test. The attending physician always prescribes an additional study: a general blood test, ultrasound, computed tomography and other procedures. Taking blood from a vein from a baby is somewhat problematic, but after deciphering the data, you can get very important indicators that will help restore health.