When your child has a physical examination or is acutely ill, or must manage a chronic health condition, a blood test can help you, the parent, make an informed decision about treatment options. Pediatricians often use blood tests and other lab services to optimize children’s wellness so they grow and develop into healthy adults.
Let’s learn more about child blood tests, their benefits, and where you can take your child for a blood test in Purchase, NY.
What Is a Blood Test?
A blood test involves withdrawing a prescribed amount of blood via a needle inserted into a healthy and accessible vein. Some tests require only a small amount of blood taken with a skin prick to an index or middle finger or, in the case of a newborn, the heel.
Blood draws help healthcare providers understand how a child’s metabolic processes are working and if there are any active disease processes–acute or chronic–present.
Additionally, blood tests can confirm a suspected diagnosis and prepare a youngster for surgery or recovery from a traumatic injury. Donated blood may be needed to supplement the child’s natural supply; a blood test will confirm what type of blood the patient needs.
What Can a Blood Test Reveal?
A routine blood test can reveal a lot of important information about the young patient, including:
- Blood type (A, B, O, AB, and RH factors)
- Blood count (including red and white blood cells)
- Presence of infection from a wound or surgery
- Presence of acute or chronic disease, including kidney and liver disease
- Active allergies
- Blood glucose and cholesterol levels (diabetes or hyperlipidemia)
- Presence of anemia and other blood disorders
- If treatment for cancer or other health problem is working
- If basic metabolic processes, such as thyroid function, are healthy
- Lead levels which indicate exposure to environmental toxins
Reasons for Blood Tests for Children
Most children do not require blood draws as part of preventive health care as adults do. However, some need routine screening if they are obese or have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer, diabetes, or other serious health issues.
Additionally, babies benefit from certain blood draws that can detect hereditary disorders or diseases that may have been transmitted from the mother to a baby via the placenta. Hereditary conditions include PKU, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia. Diseases passed through the placenta to the baby include HIV infection, hepatitis B, HPV, gonorrhea, and more.
Child Blood Tests in Purchase, NY
If your child needs a blood test, visit us at BridgeSpan Medicine.Our board-certified pediatricians can help you through the process of preparing your child for a blood test. We provide onsite laboratory testing for your child’s needs and your convenience. Blood tests can keep your child healthy, detecting many underlying health issues.
For more information on blood testing and other health services offered by our pediatricians, call us today at (914) 698-5544.If you would like to schedule a consultation, fill out our convenient online appointment request form. We are honored to partner with you in caring for your child’s health and well-being.
