A child's blood type is passed down from her parents. In many cases, a baby's blood type is determined at birth. If your child's was not or if that information is lost or forgotten, you may want to have your child tested so you know her blood type. This can be useful if your child ever needs to receive a blood transfusion. A blood-typing test tests for antigens that indicate one of eight possible blood types. Your child will have one of four blood groups--A, B, AB or O--and either Rh positive or Rh negative blood.
Step 1
Speak with your child's doctor about your desire to have his blood typed. Your doctor can tell you whether it is necessary and what the test entails.
Step 2
Schedule an appointment with your doctor or with a diagnostics laboratory to have a blood-typing test performed. Not all doctor's offices are equipped to perform routine blood tests. If yours is not you will need to visit a local lab.
Step 3
Prepare your child for the test by explaining what is involved. A blood-typing test requires a small amount of blood to be withdrawn from a vein. To withdraw the blood, a lab technician will clean a small area--usually near the elbow or hand--and insert a small needle or lancet into a vein, according to MedlinePlus.
Step 4
Arrive for the blood-typing test as scheduled.
Step 5
Comfort your child while the test is being performed. Some children may be anxious or nervous because they are afraid of the needle or that the test will hurt. You may want to bring something--a toy or book--to serve as a distraction.
Step 6
Call your child's doctor to get the results of the blood tests. Results can take a few days to be returned. Ask after the test when the doctor expects them to be available.
Tips and Warnings
- If your child is young, prepare to sit in the seat with her while the blood is being drawn. You may have to restrain or hold her so the lab technician can safely insert the needle in her arm.
- Blood typing is a simple test with few risks. However, your child may be faint or light-headed after the test. You also may notice bruising where the needle was inserted, MedlinePlus reports. And because the skin is punctured, there is a slight risk of a skin infection.
