Background: The acceptability of blood sampling in children for research purposes is determined, in part, by whether or not children are harmed. The British Paediatric Association guidelines for research involving children currently categorize venepuncture as low, rather than minimal risk and state that it is unethical to submit children to greater than minimal risk for non therapeutic research. Objective: To assess the acceptability, the risks and feasibility of venepuncture as a procedure by parents. Method: 92 venepunctures were carried out by 1 of 2 physicians on 69 neonates enrolled in a project on the use of a new oral Vitamin K preparation approved by local ethics committee. Blood sampling was performed between day 6 and 10 and 23 newborns underwent a 2nd blood test on day 28 of life. Mothers were present at the time of venepuncture in all cases. At the end of the proce-dure, mothers and doctors were given a questionnaire to assess maternal anxiety, perce-ption of baby's discomfort and the ease of procedure. Results: 90 parent questionnaires and 87 doctor questionnaires were returned. 33(37%) parents were noted to be upset, of which 3 stated that they were very upset after seeing the procedure as compared with 42 (46%) who were worried before the procedure. Of these 3 parents, 2 stated that they were very worried before the procedure. 11 of the 33 mothers who were upset felt that their baby was not. 14 of the 36 mothers whose babies were upset were not upset themselves. Of the 7 babies who were described as a lot upset only 1 mother was a lot upset. 10% of mothers thought that the blood test was worse than expected, while 47% found that it was better. Parents-with previous experience of neonatal heel stick felt that it was a better way of collecting blood, 5 of 7 babies who were a lot upset had straightforward vene-punture at the first attempt, while in 15 babies where difficulty was experienced, only 2 were a lot upset. 23 out of 25 parents agreed to participate for a 2nd blood test.

Conclusion: Venepuncture appears to be acceptable to parents, is feasible and can be classified as minimal, rather than low risk for non therapeutic research.