Relationship Between Potassium Level in Venous Blood Samples Drawn and Heel Sticks In Infants and Newborns

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to find out whether there is a correlation (link) between the level of potassium in blood samples drawn from a vein and those drawn from a heel stick in infants scheduled for elective surgery.

Detailed Description
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This is a prospective study which will take place at the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Operating Room. After obtaining written informed consent from parents or guardians, infants and babies scheduled to have elective surgery under routine general anesthesia and are <6 months of age will be included in the study. After the baby receives routine general anesthesia, a small amount of blood, 0.5 ml, will be drawn from a vein when an I.V. is started for the surgery. The largest possible cannula will be placed whenever possible to decrease hemolysis. If a baby has a central line, the blood sample will be drawn from it. If a baby has an existing peripheral I.V., a blood sample will be drawn from the I.V. cannula only if blood is freely running, to avoid hemolysis. Blood will be placed into a heparinized, 1 ml syringe for venous blood gas analysis. A second blood sample, 0.3 ml, will be drawn into a capillary pipette from a heel stick for capillary blood gas analysis. The heel will be properly sterilized, and a proper size lancet will be used. The same operator will be performing the heel stick in each case.

Official Title
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In Infants and Newborns, is There a Relation Between the Potassium Level in Blood Samples Drawn From a Vein and Those Drawn From a Heel Stick?

Conditions
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Hyperkalemia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Blood sample drawn from a vein
* Other: Blood sample drawn from a heel stick


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Infants and babies, ASA physical Status I-III, less than 6 month of age and scheduled to have elective surgery under routine general anesthesia at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital will be included. Exclusion Criteria: Babies and infants with documented anemia (< 8 gm), who are bleeding, ASA Classification >III, have sickle cell disease or trait, thalassemia, HIV or DIC will be excluded from the study. Babies with organ failure will be excluded.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Maximum Age: 6 Months

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Blood sample drawn from a vein and from a heel stick<br>0.5 ml will be drawn from a vein when an IV is started for the surgery or from an IV already in place. The blood will be placed into a heparinized, 1 ml syringe for venous blood gas analysis. A second blood sample, 0.3 ml will be drawn into a capillary pipette from a heel stick for capillary blood gas analysis. | Other: Blood sample drawn from a vein<br>* 0.5 ml will be drawn from a vein when an IV is started for the surgery or from an IV already in place. The blood will be placed into a heparinized, 1 ml syringe for venous blood gas analysis.<br>Other: Blood sample drawn from a heel stick<br>* A second blood sample, 0.3 ml will be drawn into a capillary pipette from a heel stick for capillary blood gas analysis.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Potassium Measurements | In this prospective study, we would like to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the potassium level in blood samples drawn from a vein and those drawn from a heel stick. | 0-30 minutes after start of surgery | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Potassium, Infants, Heel Stick, Less than or equal to 6 months of age, IV catheter blood samples, perioperatively, elective surgical procedures