Blood work and laboratory tests can help your child’s pediatric provider investigate symptoms, monitor health conditions, and make informed decisions about care.
At Sylacauga Pediatrics and Summit Pediatrics, our team helps families understand ordered laboratory testing, what to expect, and how to prepare their children. Depending on the test and office location, collection and processing arrangements may vary.
Contact your preferred office in Sylacauga, Chelsea, or Birmingham to confirm where testing can be completed and whether any preparation is needed.
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Call your preferred office to confirm current lab availability.
Laboratory tests can provide information that cannot always be gathered from symptoms or a physical examination alone.
A healthcare provider may order lab testing to help screen for a health concern, investigate symptoms, help diagnose or rule out a condition, monitor an existing condition, or see how treatment is working. Blood, urine and other samples can provide different types of information depending on the question your provider is trying to answer.
Not every child needs the same tests. Your pediatric provider determines whether testing is appropriate based on your child’s age, symptoms, history and individual circumstances.
Blood work may sometimes help your provider better understand symptoms or findings from an examination.
Certain laboratory tests may be recommended as part of preventive care when appropriate for your child.
Testing can sometimes help providers follow an existing health concern over time.
Some tests may be used to help determine how a child is responding to treatment or whether additional evaluation is needed.
The exact process depends on which test has been ordered. Blood samples may be collected from a vein, fingertip or—in newborns for certain screening purposes—the heel. For a typical venous blood draw, a healthcare professional uses a small needle to collect a sample into one or more tubes.
Make sure you understand which laboratory testing has been ordered and where it should be completed.
Some tests require special preparation while many others do not. Follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider.
Explain what will happen using simple, age-appropriate language and give your child an opportunity to ask questions.
If blood is being drawn, a small sample is collected and prepared for laboratory testing.
A favorite toy, book, video, conversation or other distraction may help some children during the procedure.
Once results are available, your healthcare provider considers them together with your child’s symptoms, history and other clinical information.
Blood tests can make children nervous, especially when they don’t know what to expect. A little preparation can make the experience easier for both children and parents.
Explain what will happen using simple, age-appropriate language. Rather than promising the test won’t hurt, let your child know they may feel a quick pinch. A favorite toy, book, video, or comforting conversation may help them feel more at ease.
For younger children, practicing with a stuffed animal can help make the procedure feel more familiar. Older children may appreciate having their questions answered before the appointment.
Not every blood test requires fasting. Some laboratory tests can be completed without special preparation, while others require specific instructions about food, drinks, medications, or timing. Don’t have your child fast unless their healthcare provider instructs you to do so.
If fasting is required, your healthcare team should explain how long it is necessary and what your child may drink. For questions about medication, supplements, or your child’s usual routine before testing, contact the office for instructions.
Most blood tests do not require special preparation. If no fasting or other instructions were provided, parents should not assume fasting is necessary.
Certain laboratory tests may require fasting or other preparation. When fasting is required, the healthcare provider should tell you how long your child needs to avoid food and what fluids are permitted.
Do not have your child fast unless your healthcare provider has instructed you to do so. If your child takes medications, vitamins or supplements, tell the healthcare team what they take. Do not stop a medication unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
If your child does not have fluid restrictions or fasting instructions that say otherwise, staying hydrated before a blood draw can sometimes make obtaining the sample easier. Age-appropriate explanations, a familiar distraction and thoughtful appointment timing can make the experience easier for some children.
Tell your child what will happen without giving more detail than they need.
A favorite book, toy, game or video can help redirect attention.
When possible, choose a time when your child is less likely to be overtired or hungry—unless specific fasting instructions affect scheduling.
Having something pleasant to look forward to after the test can help some children cope with the experience.
Laboratory results are one part of understanding your child’s health.
A result that falls outside a laboratory’s reference range does not automatically mean that your child has a medical condition, and a result within the reference range does not always rule one out. Healthcare providers interpret results together with symptoms, medical history, examination findings and other information.
Reference ranges may also differ between laboratories and may differ by age or other factors, which is another reason to discuss results with your child’s healthcare provider rather than comparing a number with a range found elsewhere online.
A little preparation can make the visit easier for both you and your child.
Bring any instructions you were given and make sure you know whether your child has been asked to fast or follow other preparation requirements.
The cost of pediatric lab testing can vary depending on the tests ordered, insurance coverage, where the specimen is collected and where the laboratory analysis is performed.
Because coverage and billing arrangements can differ, families should contact their insurance plan and pediatric office before testing if they have questions about expected costs.
Ask your insurance carrier about coverage for the specific testing ordered.
Laboratory charges may be billed by the pediatric practice, an outside laboratory or both depending on the testing arrangement. If cost is a concern, ask your office and insurance carrier how the ordered testing is expected to be billed.
Families paying without insurance should call the office for current information about available self-pay options and potential outside laboratory charges.
Before bringing your child in for blood work, contact your preferred pediatric office to confirm the arrangements for the specific test that has been ordered. Our team can help clarify whether testing can be completed through your selected location, whether an appointment or outside laboratory is required, and what instructions your child should follow.
Confirm where your child’s ordered test will be collected or performed.
Ask whether a separate appointment or specific collection time is needed.
Check whether your child needs to fast, bring documentation, or follow any other instructions.
Ask how results will be communicated and when to contact the office with questions.
Blood tests may be used to screen for certain health concerns, investigate symptoms, help diagnose or rule out conditions, monitor an existing condition or assess how treatment is working. Which testing is appropriate depends on the individual child.
Not necessarily. Many blood tests require no special preparation, while some require fasting. Only have your child fast when instructed by the healthcare provider, and follow the specific instructions you receive.
When fasting has been ordered, plain water is generally permitted unless the healthcare provider gives different instructions. Staying hydrated can also make obtaining a blood sample easier. Always follow your child’s specific instructions.
Use honest, age-appropriate language, explain what will happen, reassure your child that you will be nearby and consider bringing a favorite toy, game or other distraction.
A venous blood draw can cause a brief pinch or discomfort, and minor soreness or bruising may occur afterward.
Timing varies by test and laboratory process. Your pediatric office can explain how results from your child’s ordered testing will be communicated and when follow-up may be expected.
An abnormal result does not always mean that a child has a health condition. Providers interpret laboratory findings together with the child’s symptoms, medical history, other testing and the laboratory’s appropriate reference range.
Coverage depends on the insurance plan, reason for testing, test ordered and laboratory involved. Contact your insurance carrier and pediatric office if you want to understand potential costs before testing.
Call first. Availability, timing and the testing process may differ by office and by the laboratory test ordered.
Maybe—but don’t guess.
Many blood tests require no fasting at all. Others require specific preparation.
Only have your child fast when instructed by the healthcare team.
Call your preferred pediatric office to confirm whether the ordered testing is available, whether your child needs to prepare and what you should bring.
With offices in Sylacauga, Chelsea, and Birmingham’s Valleydale area, families can choose the pediatric office most convenient for them. Select a location below to call, get directions, or view complete office information.
115 West Clay Street
Sylacauga, Alabama 35150
134 Foothills Parkway
Chelsea, Alabama 35043
1200 Providence Park, Suite 100
Birmingham, Alabama 35242
Providing compassionate comprehensive pediatric care for infants, children, and adolescents at three convenient locations in Alabama.
115 West Clay Street
Sylacauga, Alabama 35150
Mon – Thu: 8:00AM – 5:00pm
Fri: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Mon – Thu: 9:00AM – 4:00pm
Fri: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Mon – Fri: 9:00am – 4:00pm
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