- The ARC - California Edition -

Newborn Blood Screening - Does it Hurt?

Since the early 1960s, it has been standard procedure in California hospitals to do a "heel-stick" on every newborn in order to obtain a few drops of their blood. These blood samples were then rushed to a laboratory to be tested for an inherited metabolic disorder, known as phenylketonuria (PKU).

It was sometimes quite obvious that a specific infant did not appreciate having his heel poked at and often expressed displeasure by shrieking with some intensity, or by presenting facial expressions that infers extreme annoyance.

But alas, maybe there is a better way which is less painful and perhaps might even be more acceptable to the newborns of the future.

A group of researchers in Stockholm, Sweden undertook to scientifically investigate alternative, less painful methods for obtaining this vital blood sample. They have now reported their study results in the May issue of the journal Pediatrics.
Three groups of healthy, full-term newborns were established. The first group of 50 babies underwent the PKU testing by having blood taken from a vein on the back of the baby’s hand. A second group had the blood taken from the heel using a small lancet. With the third group, the blood was removed using a larger lancet. A fourth group was subjected to a simulated heel prick without actual skin puncturing taking place.

In order to assess the pain involved in each of these procedures, the type, intensity, and duration of the infants crying were noted. At the same time, the infants’ expressions were recorded on videotape.

After analyzing these results, the research team concluded that the group of newborns which provided the blood samples from a vein on the back of their hands had significantly less pain than did those whose heels were lanced.

It may take a while, but even with newborns, it does pay off to complain.