Optimizing pediatric venipuncture: ensuring successful blood sample collection with minimal stress and pain

Background The Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) study is a multicenter prospective birth cohort study designed to examine genetic and environmental factors related to the development of childhood asthma, allergies, and atopic dermatitis. The CHILD study events include the collection of blood samples at ages 1 and 5 years for all subjects. Blood collection is a critical aspect of the CHILD study, and all the following factors require thoughtful consideration: (a) optimizing the success rate of blood collection to ensure scientific integrity; (b) recognizing and relieving stress and pain during the pediatric venipuncture process; and (c) retaining subjects in this longitudinal study.