Getting blood samples and types of blood tests
Your child may need some tests at the clinic or hospital. These tests help find out whether your child has a health condition, and the best treatment. For children with a kidney condition, the tests can find out how well a treatment is working. They can also see whether there is damage to their kidneys or other parts of their body. One very common test is a blood test. A small sample of your child’s blood will be taken from the body, using a needle.
Why does my child need a blood test?
Your nurse or doctor will tell you why your child is having a blood test. Common reasons for testing blood in children include:
· to find out more about their general health
· to find out if they have a condition, including any that affect the urinary system and kidneys
· to find out if they have an infection
· to check how well their kidneys are working
· for children who have a kidney disease, to find out if their kidney function is getting worse
· to check if treatment is working
· before a blood transfusion (receiving blood from someone else who has given some of their own blood to be used as a medical treatment – a blood donor)
· to check the blood levels of some medicines.
Getting blood samples
Most of the time, blood is taken from a vein, one type of blood vessel. A doctor, nurse or another health professional specially trained to take blood, will insert a thin needle through the skin and into a vein. They will draw up a small amount of blood into a syringe or special container.
For most children, taking blood is quick, does not hurt much and is very safe. Your child may feel a sharp scratch from the needle.
Occasionally, there is some swelling, bruising or pain around the site where the blood was taken.
What are the blood tests looking for?
These tests can help find out:
· whether your child has the right amount of important chemicals in his or her body – including minerals called electrolytes and the waste products urea and creatinine
· whether your child has an infection
· the number of different types of blood cells, the living parts of your child’s blood – a full blood count
· your child’s blood group – this is important if he or she needs an operation or blood transfusion
Testing kidney function with glomerular filtration rate
The blood test can also find out how well your child’s kidneys are working – this is called the kidney function. This is done by estimating or measuring the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is the amount of fluid (liquid) that the kidneys filter each minute. There are two main methods of measuring GFR in children: a simple blood test or a radioactive tracer.
About blood
Blood is pumped by the heart around the body in tubes called blood vessels. It carries oxygen and nutrients around the body and takes away waste so that we stay healthy. Blood is made up of liquid, called plasma, and living parts, called blood cells.
Most of the time, blood is taken from a vein, one type of blood vessel. A doctor, nurse or another health professional specially trained to take blood, will insert a thin needle through the skin and into a vein. They will draw up a small amount of blood into a syringe or special container.
Preparing for the test
It is important that your child is as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Talk to your child about what will happen during the test, and why it is needed.
Easy Medical Centre
Address: 37 High Street, Crewe, CW2 7BL
L: 01270 748041 | E: support@easytests.co.uk
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