infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
scarring (occurs when there have been multiple punctures in the same area)
calcified nodules (sometimes occurs in infants, but usually disappear by 30 months of age)
damage to blood cells from this method of collection can sometimes cause inaccurate test results (and the need to repeat the test with blood drawn from a vein)
Special considerations:
Capillary blood sampling is very useful when very small amounts of blood are needed or when blood is very difficult to obtain, such as in infants. Many times, however, when a larger sample is needed, the blood must be obtained from a vein.
Review Date: 6/16/2005
Reviewed By: John Goldenring, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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