Blood draw for lead at 12M pedi appt?

violetblue72

Did your pedi do an automatic blood draw at your DC's 12-month appt. to check for lead levels?  A few mom's have mentioned it to me but when I called my pedi she said she only does it on a per request basis.  She will write a prescription for me if I want it done so that's fine, just wondering who else has had it done and why.

Our home was built in 1947 and we did a simple lead test (from the hardware store, nothing too high tech) on one of our window sills.  It tested positive so I'm a little concerned. 

wilkk34

Ours did it automotically.  It was awful.  My daughter had Jaundice when she was born so we were constantly taking her for bloodwork the first couple of weeks.  It wasn't a fun thing to do, they pricked her foot and squeezed the blood into the tube.  That is what I was expecting when I took her on Monday but..... They took the blood the same way they do for us.  They had me and the nurse hold her down and then put the needle in her arm.  They couldn't find a vein so after trying to find it and having me yell at the guy to take the thing out of her arm several times, they had to switch arms.  They found the vein on the other arm but she was black and blue in both arms the next morning.  It was terrible.  Send your husband if you can.  Good luck, I hope your expereince will go much smoother!

happy-honey

In NY it is required by law so we don't get a choice.  We tried to get it done once and DD was fine, but I had a horrible issue with it.  They were not able to get the blood so I am asking our Pedi to recommend someone who can deal with a toddler because I felt where I took her they were not skilled for it even though they were supposedly able to do pediatric draws.  Ask your pedi for a location recommendation.  I am thinking maybe the hospital is a better place to go.

maddie80

We did it, because like you, we live in an older home.  Not like I let DS chew on the walls, or anything.   

Our pedi's office just did a toe prick and squeezed the blood out there - it wasn't fun, but it was fast and it wasn't half as bad as a needle in the arm sounds!

Dobie_Mama

Our pedi does it automatically.  We had a standard arm draw and it wasn't that bad.  The nurses were wonderful with her!

violetblue72

Thanks.  The pedi's office has all their bloodwork done at the hospital where DS was born so that's good.  DS had jaundice when he was little as well and I remember bawling the two times we brought him in to get blood drawn and it was just awful.

What else was standard at your 12-month?  Just wondering as I would have never known about the lead test unless someone mentioned it to me...

trishie7

it is standard with our pedi for 9 mos appt.

it was a blood draw via the arm like we adults get... it wasnt fun to hold down DS while they looked for his vein, inserted the needle and drew 2 vials of blood. i couldnt look but DS was so brave.

 

Meeshe

My understanding is it depends on where you live, age of home, etc.  Where we live it's mandatory every year until age 5.  It was no problem at all, took her to a lab where they used a butterfly needle, she cried for about 2 seconds at the prick and then just looked at it.  Took no time at all.  I was concerned but it wasn't bad.  Plus it was a relief to get the all-clear.  If your house tested positive I would get it checked.

Eclaire08

Ours did it automatically.

They also took the blood from her arm but the nurse was awesome.  DD didn't even bleed after the nurse took the needle out.  DD was pissed but she didn't shed a tear...it sucked more for me having to hold her than it actually hurt her.  I held her on my lap and another nurse and I held her arms.

If your concerned, have your DC tested.

RobynandJason050706

yep we did our 12m appt just an hour ago and they did a blood test for lead and other stuff.  It was a finger prick test for him.  But i have friends that did a complete blood draw for the same test.

Our sons levels came back completely normal.

Mama Jan

Ours does, but I know not all pedis do.  With a home that old and a positive lead test from your window sill, I would definitely want to have a lead test done on my child.

The blood draw was pretty traumatic for us, but it's worth it to know that your child is (or isn't!) healthy.

Mama Jan

violetblue72:

What else was standard at your 12-month?  Just wondering as I would have never known about the lead test unless someone mentioned it to me...

He had 3 shots in addition to the blood draw: chicken pox, mmr and prevnar.

MinnEMsota

My pedi did the lead test blood draw.  But they just poked his finger and squeezed a vial full.  DS didn't like it at all but it wasn't that big of a deal.  We live in a house that was built in 1925 and lead is always a concern for us.  Luckily, his lead level was lowest the pedi had ever seen!  Thanks OCD DH for all your painting-over.