6 month old has petechiae on his arms after blood draw

[nycmom18]

My 6 month old DS had to get blood drawn today to check hormone levels because of pubic hair on scrotum.  The nurse couldnt get the vein once on each arm and finally another nurse got the vein the third time.  

When we got home, i noticed petechiae spots from his shoulder to his hand on both arms, no where else on his body.  no fever, hes happy, normal, feeding etc.  i called the ped and the nurse said thats normal sometimes after bloodwork.  ill be calling back tomorrow and ask the dr directly. 

until then, can someone please please ease my fears and tell me if you've ever been told thats "normal"? 

i am obviously very concerned about an underlying blood issue that hasnt come up until now.  does anyone have any experience with this one way or the other?

[phathui5]

I had this happen to me (on my arm) after IV practice class. 

[nycmom18]

was it up and down the arm?  do you know why this happens?

[katelove]

It's a known side effect of taking blood. When you apply a tourniquet your goal is to occlude venous flow. This in turn increases cappiliary pressure. The the pressure is too high for too long the capillary walls rupture - petechiae. They will fade over the next few days and won't cause him any harm.

Babies are more likely to get them as their vessels are more fragile. And if they were struggling to get blood the tourniquet was probably on for a bit longer than it might otherwise have been.

[nycmom18]

thank you! so do you think i should call the dr still? or is this always normal?

[katelove]

I never use the word "always" when it comes to matters of health :-)

Based on what you described in your OP I, personally, would not be concerned. But I would never encourage anyone *not* to call their health care provider if they were in any doubt.

If your boy is well and happy and behaving normally I think it is reasonable to take a wait and see approach. But, I also think it's reasonable to seek reassurance from a HCP in real life. Sorry to fence sit, it's hard to do this stuff online.

[Vermillion]

I get petechaie after having blood taken... blood pressure, too, when the cuff gets too tight.