What size needle is commonly used for pediatric blood draws?

The choice of a 23-gauge needle for pediatric blood draws is appropriate due to its balance between sufficient lumen size for blood flow while minimizing discomfort for younger patients. Pediatric patients, especially infants and small children, have smaller veins and more sensitive skin compared to adults, so a thinner needle helps reduce trauma to the tissue.

A 23-gauge needle is typically effective for drawing blood from smaller veins, allowing for adequate flow without the risk of causing excessive pain or injury. In pediatric phlebotomy, the goal is to ensure patient comfort and safety while still achieving the necessary volume of blood for testing.

While other needle sizes like 21-gauge provide a larger lumen, they may not be as suitable for young patients and could lead to increased discomfort. Finer needles such as 25-gauge and 27-gauge may be too small for effective blood draws in many pediatric cases, leading to slow draw times or unsuccessful attempts. Thus, the 23-gauge needle strikes a good balance for pediatric venipuncture.