Abstract
The feasibility and acceptability of collecting blood from children by venepuncture was assessed in a sample of 593 children from seven primary schools in Canterbury. Venepuncture is necessary to obtain blood for the measurement of haemoglobin, ferritin, and cholesterol in line with Department of Health surveys in England. Return of consent forms was 87%; 75% of parents in the total sample allowed their child to be tested. Response rates differed between schools. Only 4% of eligible children refused to participate at the time of testing. In 22 (3.7%) children a blood sample could not be obtained or the volume was insufficient for analysis. There was a significant difference in the failure rate between phlebotomists. Venepuncture in the school setting was technically feasible and acceptable. The reluctance of some groups in the community to participate may bias the sample.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Cresanta J. L., Srinivasan S. R., Foster T. A., Webber L. S., Berenson G. S. Serum lipoprotein levels in children: epidemiologic and clinical implications. J Chronic Dis. 1982;35(1):41–51. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(82)90028-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Fradet C., McGrath P. J., Kay J., Adams S., Luke B. A prospective survey of reactions to blood tests by children and adolescents. Pain. 1990 Jan;40(1):53–60. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(90)91050-S. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gross A. M., Stern R. M., Levin R. B., Dale J., Wojnilower D. A. The effect of mother-child separation on the behavior of children experiencing a diagnostic medical procedure. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1983 Oct;51(5):783–785. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.51.5.783. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hallén B., Olsson G. L., Uppfeldt A. Pain-free venepuncture. Effect of timing of application of local anaesthetic cream. Anaesthesia. 1984 Oct;39(10):969–972. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1984.tb08884.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hellgren U., Kihamia C. M., Rombo L. Painless venepuncture in the field. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1990 May-Jun;84(3):352–352. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(90)90314-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Manner T., Kanto J., Iisalo E., Lindberg R., Viinamäki O., Scheinin M. Reduction of pain at venous cannulation in children with a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA cream): comparison with placebo cream and no local premedication. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 1987 Nov;31(8):735–739. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.1987.tb02655.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]