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February 2012 Moms
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Routine blood work for 1 year old. Thoughts?

katea81katea81 member
in February 2012 Moms

At the end of Mikey's 1 year ped appt, the ped mentioned that they send all kids out for routine blood work once a year. This isn't a finger stick, but a real, in-the-vein blood test. The purpose is to do a CBC and lead test.  I get why it might be important, but I'm still really having a hard time scheduling the appointment. Mikey is a healthy, thriving boy. Do I really have to put him through this trauma? I don't even want to think about how it will go. I am a mess during just regular shots! 

I keep thinking to myself: if this test could catch a horrific disease, like Leukemia, shouldn't I just go ahead with it?  But I'm still putting it off. I can't imagine what it will be like-- and to have to do it once a year? Yikes. 

Am I over reacting? What do my bumpie friends think? Anyone else have to do this?  

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Re: Routine blood work for 1 year old. Thoughts?

  • Sept07b2bSept07b2b member

    Do you live in an area with many old, historic homes?  I know in DC it is very common to do a lead test at a year, since so many of the homes/apartments people live in had lead paint in them at some point (even though the lead paint has been abated, there could still be trace amounts).

    Personally, if you live in an area where there is a risk, I would do the test.  Although, I am pretty sure with my DS, we just did a finger prick, so I guess the full blood draw is for the CBC count test.   

    I had to get blood drawn from DD when she was only 3 months old, and it was a really really awful couple of minutes of her screaming her head off.  But what I realized is that it is probably more traumatic for you as the mom then it is for your LO.  He won't remember it, and you might catch something that could be mitigated if caught early. 

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  • michelle7482michelle7482 member
    We don't go for our one yr for another month but I will absolutely do it if need be. Our fears should not trump the well being of our children. God forbid they catch something, you just never know. The LOs will not remember it, and it will be over before you know it. Don't stress about it, he will be fine!

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  • JessieJHJessieJH member
    We are not doing that and our pedi isn't asking for it. I could see doing it if you were investigating an illness.
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  • hmhigginhmhiggin member
    Our pedi's office did them at the 9 month appts.  And our's was just a fingerstick.  But same tests (lead and CBC).  I did it. I dreaded it, but I did it.  I wouldn't have considered saying no either.  I'm finding it hard to articulate exactly why, but I just looked at it as part of what I need to do to keep her safe and healthy. 
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  • Mar5195Mar5195 member
    I would do it. My GF did one for her son (she waited till 18 months). And there was nothing you could really do in terms of making i less tramatic. He was given a lollipop, his lovey was with him the whole time. And they did lots of his favorites afterwards as sort of a reward. Also if you do decide, call the lab and request someone who has experience with children, sometimes they don't even have the appropriate tools for children so a call would be very important. And she waited a while because her fears got the best of her (more about a potential life threatening diagnosis), she finally did it and he was perfectly fine. He doesn't remember and she's trying to forget!
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  • preggersINschool25preggersINschool25 member
    Grant had his blood drawn twice. Eight vials the first time, four or so the second. He cried for a second during the prick, but calmed down quickly. Now he seems to be less aware than most kiddos, but it might not be all that traumatic.


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  • liberty95liberty95 member
    In my opinion routine blood work is routine for a reason. By understanding trends in a patient's laboratory history a practitioner can more quickly identify changes or potential abnormalities.
    I hate seeing DS in distress but would not question this physician order.
    What I would do is see if you can find a lab that will do a finger stick rather than a venous stick.
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  • karleegirlkarleegirl member
    imageliberty95:
    In my opinion routine blood work is routine for a reason. By understanding trends in a patient's laboratory history a practitioner can more quickly identify changes or potential abnormalities.
    I hate seeing DS in distress but would not question this physician order.
    What I would do is see if you can find
    a lab that will do a finger stick rather
    than a venous stick.

    Liberty my only problem with that is finger sticks are less accurate. Especially with a CBC. Now I guess as a general screening tool it would be fine. We always verify an abnormal fingerstick with a venous draw.
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  • liberty95liberty95 member

    imagekarleegirl:
    imageliberty95:
    In my opinion routine blood work is routine for a reason. By understanding trends in a patient's laboratory history a practitioner can more quickly identify changes or potential abnormalities. I hate seeing DS in distress but would not question this physician order. What I would do is see if you can find a lab that will do a finger stick rather than a venous stick.
    Liberty my only problem with that is finger sticks are less accurate. Especially with a CBC. Now I guess as a general screening tool it would be fine. We always verify an abnormal fingerstick with a venous draw.

    I totally agree! Venous sticks are far more accurate, but if its between OP getting nothing or a finger stick, I would get a finger stick.  You're rationale is perfectly valid, any abnormalities would be followed up with another draw.

     

     

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  • goldenleavesgoldenleaves member
    I could write a book on baby blood draws. They suck!!
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