Life skills are important because they give children more control to improve their lives. more
How to get urine, stool and blood samples from kids
When a child gets sick, there are two things every parent wants to know: what's wrong, and how can I make her better as quickly as possible? Most times a trip to your local doctor will give you the answers. At other times the answers are not as easy to find and your doctor may need a blood, urine or stool sample from your child to find out exactly what is ailing her.
Collecting a sample from your child is not as simple as it sounds – it takes time and patience and a lot of understanding. It can be a stressful time for parents and a scary time for kids, but there are several things you can do to minimise the anxiety for everyone.
Collecting samples from older children
If your child is over five years old, the best thing you can do is explain the sample-collection process to them. The worst thing you can do is lie to your child, so make every effort to let them know:
- why you need a sample of their blood/urine/stool
- how you will obtain the sample
- where you will obtain the sample
- what it might feel like
- what you can do to make sure the process is as comfortable as possible.
Collecting samples from young children and babies
While small children and babies cannot understand what is happening to them, your gentle touch or soothing voice will ensure they are calm and relaxed during the collection. The key is to remain calm yourself so your child does not pick up on your fear or anxiety.
How to get a urine sample
Your doctor or testing laboratory will provide a sterile container in which to collect your child’s urine. It is important to follow the instructions for collection as closely as possible and to ensure that the sterile container does not come into contact with your child’s skin. This is because germs from the skin can contaminate the urine sample and give inaccurate test results.
Older children should be encouraged to urinate into the toilet and collect a mid-stream sample of their urine. This means your child needs to collect their sample halfway through their wee. If your child can stop and restart their urine flow, this will make catching the sample a lot easier.
Toddlers who use a potty should urinate into the potty as usual; several containers placed inside the potty will ensure that enough urine is collected for testing.
Collecting a sample from babies is a little more difficult than this. There are several different methods of collection:
- Attaching a bag - Urine is collected in a sterile bag attached to your baby inside the nappy. This is not the ideal method of collection, as sometimes the bag leaks. More importantly, the risk of germs from the skin getting into the urine sample is very high because the bag is attached to your child's skin.
- Clean catch - This method involves taking off your child’s nappy, waiting until she urinates and catching it in the specimen container, without the container touching their skin. Whilst this is the preferred method of collecting a urine sample, it can be a very difficult thing to achieve.
- Using a catheter - If this method is required, a doctor will put a tube through your baby’s urethra (where the wee comes out) and collect urine straight from the bladder. This can be uncomfortable for your baby, and is a method that is only used in special circumstances.
- Supra-pubic aspirate (SPA) - Although this process is the most effective for collecting a '‘clean'’ sample, it is also the most invasive. It involves a doctor inserting a small needle into the baby’s lower stomach and extracting urine from the bladder. Again, this method would be used only if absolutely necessary.
Tips for collecting urine samples:
- Give your child plenty of fluids to drink at least 30 minutes before taking the sample.
- The sound of running water can help a child urinate, so turn the tap on!
How to get a stool sample
Apart from the fact that collecting a stool sample is an unpleasant task for the parent, it can also be an embarrassing process for older children. As with urine testing, sterile containers will be provided by your doctor or the testing lab to collect the stool sample.
To make things easier for your older child, lift the toilet seat up and attach a piece of plastic wrap over the toilet bowl – letting it sag slightly in the middle. Place the seat down over the plastic and allow your child to poo as usual. Once they have finished, you can collect a sample using the built-in scoop in the lid of the specimen container.
Smaller children who use the potty should do so as normal, and a sample of their poo can be collected straight from the potty. Samples from babies can be taken directly from the nappy. Usually, it does not matter if the stool sample has come into contact with urine, but always check with your doctor or the testing lab if you have any concerns.
Tip for collecting stool samples:
- Before you collect the sample put on a pair of disposable gloves and have some wet wipes on hand.
Taking your child for a blood test
Children have very small veins that are often difficult to find, so an experienced doctor or nurse will determine the best place to take a sample of blood. Where possible, a butterfly needle - much fineer than a regular needle - will be used. Anaesthetic patches are commonly used to numb the site. They are stuck onto the skin about an hour before the sample is taken to minimise discomfort for the child.
As best as you can, try to prepare your older child for the needle prick. It is important to tell her that it may hurt, but only for a few seconds. You can try distraction techniques, such as slowly counting backwards from 20. Small children or babies should be distracted using books or toys. Anything that makes a sound or lights up usually works best.
Blood test tip:
- If possible, hold the child on your lap while the sample is taken. A big hug will help keep her still and also be a source of comfort.
More family health articles
Last revised: Wednesday, 14 March 2012
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.
- Outsmarting the super nit
- 7 ways to stay active with your kids this summer
- 7 ways to keep your kids cool this summer
- Germ busting your toddler
- How to really clean your house
- Simple stress busters for busy families
- 10 delish juices and smoothies for healthy living
- Why marriage is good for you
- Six secrets of active families
- Top tips to improve your family's health and happiness