Children with Needle Phobia

Many children can display high levels of fear when anticipating needle insertion, this may arise from an earlier traumatic experience or a learned fear from parents who have also had a bad experience.

A child who is ‘needle phobic’ may become so distressed that it can cause the heart rate and blood pressure to increase possibly resulting in vasoconstriction of the blood vessels supplying the skin, this can make venepuncture more difficult. In some cases the procedure may have to be abandoned.

Evidence suggests that procedure preparation and roll play can help reduced anticipatory anxiety and lead to a positive outcome.

Daisy and Daniel are useful tools, particularly with procedure preparation and gaining the co-operation of the child. The dolls can be used to help children express their anxieties, and to demonstrate the procedure enabling you to obtain the child’s consent to perform venepuncture.

Daisy and Daniel are anatomically correct, 64cms (25”) tall, 38cms wide, with opening and closing eyes.