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Modified Tail Vein and Penile Vein Puncture for Blood Sampling in the Rat Model
Published on: June 30, 2023
Venepuncture versus heel lance for blood sampling in term neonates
1Mount Sinai Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, Room 775A, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X5. vshah@mtsinai.on.ca
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 19, 2007
Summary
Venepuncture is less painful and more effective for neonatal blood sampling than heel lance. Performing three venepunctures avoids one repeat skin puncture, reducing infant pain and distress.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pain management in infants
- Medical procedures
Background:
- Heel lance is the standard for neonatal blood sampling, causing pain.
- Existing interventions for heel lance pain are insufficient.
- Neonatal pain during blood sampling requires effective solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pain and effectiveness of venepuncture versus heel lance in term neonates.
- To identify the optimal blood sampling method for reducing neonatal pain.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing venepuncture and heel lance.
- Searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library (1966-2007).
- Analyzed pain response using validated scales (NIPS, NFCS, PIPP) and secondary outcomes like repeat sampling and bruising.
Main Results:
- All studies showed significantly lower pain scores with venepuncture compared to heel lance.
- Meta-analysis of NIPS scores indicated significantly less pain during venepuncture (WMD -1.84).
- Venepuncture reduced the need for repeat skin punctures by 31% (NNT=3).
Conclusions:
- Venepuncture by skilled phlebotomists is the preferred method for neonatal blood sampling.
- Venepuncture significantly reduces pain and the need for repeat procedures.
- Further trials are needed to compare methods in diverse clinical settings.
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