Abstract

SAUCEDA-GARCIA, Juan Manuel; VALENZUELA-ANTELO, Jesús Rubén; VALENZUELA-ANTELO, Javier R.  and  MALDONADO-DURAN, J. Martín. Venepuncture distress in children and adolescents. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2006, vol.63, n.3, pp.169-177. ISSN 1665-1146.

Introduction. The fear of many children (and adults) to needles is well known, it explains their resistance to attend medical consultation because they are afraid of venepuncture. Objective. To describe the influence of patient's factors in children's anticipatory and real distress due to venepuncture; to describe the influence of parents in children's anticipatory and real distress and to determine the relationship among anticipatory and real distress due to venepuncture. Material and methods. One hundred and seventy eight children and adolescents ages 7 to 16, who attended a 3rd level pediatric hospital laboratory for blood sampling were studied. Pain and distress scales were used in order to determine predictive pain (children's presumption of pain induced by venepuncture). Two observers rated their anticipatory distress before venepuncture. They also rated their real distress during the painful proceeding. Finally, children themselves rated the real pain they suffered. Results. The first 4 results were statistically significant. 1. Anticipatory distress was directly related to real distress. 2. Those children who predicted higher pain showed higher rates of real distress. 3. Older children had lower rates of real distress. 4. Higher school grades were related to less real distress. 5. Recent venepuncture was related to higher real distress. 6. Boys showed more real distress than girls. 7. Parents presence during blood sampling was related to real distress. 8. When children used to share bed with parents there was a trend to show more real distress. Conclusion. These results support the idea that parents and clinicians should explain this painful proceeding to children in advance, and the possible usefulness of cognitive behavioral techniques in order to diminish venepuncture distress

Keywords : Venepuncture; distress; pain; children.

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