Which blood collection technique is most appropriate for infants?

The heelstick technique is the most appropriate blood collection method for infants, particularly for neonates and very young children. This procedure involves puncturing the heel of the baby's foot, which is a less invasive and safer approach compared to venipuncture or other methods that might be more painful and complex for such a small and delicate patient.

Infants have small blood volumes, and heelsticks allow for the collection of sufficient blood for necessary laboratory tests while minimizing the risk of trauma and other complications. The heelstick sites are well-perfused and offer an easy access point for blood collection, helping to ensure that the procedure is relatively straightforward and quick.

Additionally, using a heelstick minimizes the discomfort that might result from larger needle sticks associated with venipuncture, making it the preferred choice for blood collection in young infants. Capillary collection can sometimes be related to heelsticks depending on the technique, but the phrase "heelstick" specifically identifies this safe method meant for infants when drawing blood.