Pediatric Blood Collection Tubes in the United States: Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Buying Guide

Summary

• Major U.S. suppliers of pediatric blood collection tubes include BD, Greiner Bio-One, SARSTEDT, Cardinal Health, McKesson, Medline, Henry Schein, Fisher Scientific, and Avantor.
• Pediatric tubes are selected by specimen volume, additive, testing method, specimen type, and the laboratory’s validated collection and processing procedures.
• Buyers should verify FDA status, tube dimensions, minimum fill requirements, compatibility with analyzers, expiration dates, lot traceability, and shipping conditions before purchasing.

Pediatric blood collection tubes are used when a laboratory needs a smaller blood specimen than a conventional adult tube can provide. They are particularly important in neonatal intensive care units, pediatric hospitals, outpatient laboratories, physician offices, emergency departments, and specialty testing centers. The goal is to obtain an adequate specimen while minimizing blood loss, reducing the risk of repeat collection, and supporting accurate laboratory results.

In the United States, pediatric blood collection tubes are available from both original manufacturers and medical-supply distributors. The most widely recognized product families include low-volume evacuated tubes, Microcollection Tubes, Capillary Blood Collection tubes, serum tubes, plasma tubes, EDTA tubes, Heparin tubes, and specialty tubes designed for tests such as glucose, lead, coagulation, and molecular diagnostics.

The market is not limited to one type of supplier. A hospital may purchase tubes directly from a manufacturer, while a physician office may order them through a national distributor. A laboratory may use a group purchasing organization, a regional distributor, or a scientific supply company. The correct purchasing channel depends on volume, contract pricing, shipping requirements, product specifications, and the laboratory’s quality-management system.

What Are Pediatric Blood Collection Tubes?

Pediatric blood collection tubes are specimen containers designed for blood draws involving infants, children, and other patients for whom blood volume is limited. Some are miniature versions of conventional evacuated tubes. Others are designed for capillary collection from a heel stick or finger stick. Many hold between approximately 0.25 and 1.0 milliliter of blood, although capacities vary considerably by manufacturer and tube type.

Small-volume tubes may be marketed under terms such as pediatric tubes, Microcollection Tubes, microtubes, neonatal tubes, low-volume tubes, or capillary collection tubes. These terms are not always interchangeable. A capillary tube is intended for blood collected from a skin puncture, whereas a pediatric evacuated tube may be intended for venous blood collection using a small-volume needle or butterfly set.

The additive inside the tube is just as important as its size. Common additives include K2EDTA or K3EDTA for hematology, lithium Heparin for plasma chemistry, Sodium Citrate for coagulation testing, Clot Activator for serum testing, and Sodium Fluoride or other glycolysis inhibitors for selected glucose tests. Some tubes contain gel separators, while others do not.

Manufacturers generally identify pediatric tubes by nominal draw volume, internal dimensions, cap color, additive, material, and intended use. However, cap colors are not sufficient for purchasing or identification because color conventions can vary by manufacturer and by test system. The product description, package insert, laboratory procedure, and analyzer requirements should always be reviewed.

Leading Manufacturers Selling Pediatric Blood Collection Tubes in the United States

BD

BD is one of the best-known suppliers of blood collection products in the United States. Its product portfolio includes evacuated blood collection tubes, capillary and microcollection products, pediatric blood collection systems, blood collection needles, transfer devices, and accessories.

BD’s pediatric offerings are commonly used in hospitals and clinical laboratories that already use BD collection systems. Depending on the product line, buyers may find tubes for hematology, chemistry, serology, coagulation, glucose testing, and other laboratory applications. BD also offers systems designed to support small-volume collection and reduce the handling steps required after the draw.

When purchasing BD pediatric tubes, buyers should confirm the exact catalog number, tube volume, additive, cap type, sterility status, and compatibility with the facility’s collection devices. Hospitals with existing BD contracts may obtain favorable pricing through direct purchasing, a group purchasing organization, or a distributor such as McKesson, Cardinal Health, Medline, or another approved vendor.

Greiner Bio-One

Greiner Bio-One is another major manufacturer of blood collection tubes used by U.S. laboratories. The company’s VACUETTE product family includes conventional evacuated tubes and smaller-volume tubes for pediatric and difficult-to-draw patients. Product availability may include serum, plasma, EDTA, citrate, and other tube configurations.

Greiner Bio-One’s products are commonly selected by laboratories that want a broad tube portfolio and standardized vacuum collection. The company supplies both general laboratory products and specialty tubes for particular testing requirements. Depending on the size and type of the tube, a pediatric product may be suitable for venous collection or for use with a small-volume collection device.

Facilities considering Greiner Bio-One should compare the tube’s stated fill volume and additive with the laboratory’s test menu. A low-volume tube is not automatically acceptable for every analyzer. Some instruments require a specific minimum volume for aspiration, dead-volume compensation, or repeat testing.

SARSTEDT

SARSTEDT supplies blood collection systems, microcollection products, lancets, transfer devices, and specimen-processing products in the United States. Its pediatric and neonatal collection products are designed for laboratories that need small-volume specimens and controlled transfer from the collection site to the testing instrument.

SARSTEDT products may be especially relevant for facilities that perform capillary collection, pediatric hematology, neonatal chemistry, or specialized tests requiring low specimen volumes. The company’s product range includes tubes and containers with different additives and formats, so buyers should consult the current product documentation rather than rely only on cap color or general product names.

One potential advantage of purchasing from a specialized manufacturer is the ability to standardize a complete collection Workflow. A facility may purchase the collection container, lancet, capillary device, transfer component, and safety accessory as compatible products. This can simplify staff training and reduce the risk of using an incompatible transfer method.

Terumo

Terumo supplies blood collection and vascular-access products, including devices used in pediatric and neonatal settings. Availability of specific pediatric blood collection tubes may vary by U.S. market segment and distributor inventory. Buyers should confirm whether the desired product is available as a standalone tube, as part of a collection set, or only through a contract channel.

Terumo products may be considered when a hospital is standardizing its blood collection equipment across pediatric, neonatal, and adult units. Purchasing teams should evaluate tube volume, needle or butterfly compatibility, specimen requirements, and whether the collection system has been validated by the clinical laboratory.

Other Specialized and Regional Manufacturers

Some pediatric blood collection products are supplied by specialized laboratory manufacturers, regional vendors, or private-label companies. Certain products may be manufactured outside the United States and distributed domestically. Product names and distribution arrangements can change as manufacturers revise portfolios, transfer product lines, or update regulatory documentation.

For that reason, a purchaser should request the current manufacturer’s instructions for use, regulatory information, certificate documentation when applicable, and a lot-specific statement of conformity if the product is used for regulated clinical testing. A reputable supplier should be able to provide clear information about the manufacturer, U.S. distribution status, and intended use.

U.S. Distributors That Commonly Sell Pediatric Tubes

McKesson

McKesson is one of the largest healthcare distributors in the United States and supplies products to hospitals, physician practices, laboratories, clinics, and other healthcare organizations. Its laboratory catalog commonly includes blood collection tubes from major manufacturers, including pediatric and microcollection products when available under the customer’s account and contract terms.

McKesson can be useful for organizations that want consolidated purchasing. A facility may order pediatric tubes alongside gloves, syringes, disinfectants, specimen bags, and other clinical supplies. Consolidated purchasing may reduce administrative workload and make it easier to monitor order history, backorders, substitutions, and expiration dates.

Availability may differ between McKesson’s healthcare, laboratory, and specialty distribution channels. Buyers should search by manufacturer catalog number rather than only by generic terms such as “pediatric blood tube.” This reduces the risk of receiving a tube with the wrong additive or volume.

Cardinal Health

Cardinal Health distributes medical and laboratory supplies to hospitals, ambulatory facilities, laboratories, physician offices, and other Healthcare Providers. Pediatric blood collection tubes may be available through its laboratory supply categories or through contracted manufacturer programs.

Cardinal Health is often a practical option for health systems that already use its purchasing, inventory, or distribution services. A buyer should verify whether the listed product is stocked domestically, drop-shipped from the manufacturer, or subject to special-order terms. This information matters because pediatric tubes are often used in high-acuity settings where a short backorder can affect patient care.

Large health systems may also negotiate pricing based on annual usage. Before negotiating, procurement teams should estimate consumption by department, account for emergency stock, and distinguish between routine pediatric tubes and specialty products used only for a small number of tests.

Medline

Medline supplies medical, laboratory, and patient-care products to healthcare organizations throughout the United States. Its catalog may include pediatric and Microcollection Tubes from established manufacturers, as well as related blood-draw supplies.

Medline can be a useful source for practices that want to purchase a complete Pediatric Phlebotomy package. In addition to tubes, a facility may need small-volume needles, winged collection sets, heel-stick lancets, warming products, gauze, antiseptic products, labels, transport bags, and sharps containers.

Buyers should be cautious when comparing prices across distributors because a tube’s unit price may not include the same packaging quantity. One supplier may list a price per tube, while another lists a price per box of 50 or 100. Freight, handling, minimum order quantities, and contract rebates can also change the final cost.

Henry Schein

Henry Schein supplies medical and dental practices, outpatient clinics, laboratories, and other Healthcare Providers. Pediatric blood collection tubes may be available through its medical distribution channels, particularly for physician offices, pediatric practices, urgent-care centers, and smaller outpatient facilities.

Henry Schein may be attractive to buyers that do not have the purchasing volume of a hospital laboratory. A small practice can often order tubes together with examination gloves, specimen containers, needles, syringes, and other routine supplies. Before ordering, the practice should confirm that the tube is appropriate for the tests performed onsite or sent to an outside laboratory.

Fisher Scientific

Fisher Scientific is a major laboratory supply distributor serving clinical laboratories, research institutions, hospitals, universities, and industrial customers. Its catalog commonly includes blood collection tubes, microcollection products, capillary tubes, specimen containers, and collection accessories from multiple manufacturers.

Fisher Scientific is particularly useful when a laboratory wants to compare several brands in one procurement process. Search results should be filtered by manufacturer, tube additive, volume, material, sterility, packaging, and intended application. The buyer should also determine whether a product is intended for clinical diagnostic use or for research use only.

Research-use-only products should not be substituted for clinical diagnostic collection products unless the laboratory’s regulatory and quality systems specifically permit that use. In a CLIA-certified laboratory, specimen collection materials must be appropriate for the testing process and consistent with validated procedures.

Avantor and VWR

Avantor, including its VWR distribution business, supplies laboratory and healthcare products to customers in the United States. Its product categories may include pediatric tubes, Microcollection Tubes, capillary collection products, serum and plasma tubes, and related laboratory accessories.

Avantor and VWR may be suitable for hospitals and laboratories that already maintain centralized scientific-supply accounts. They can also be useful for comparing brands, pack sizes, and technical specifications. However, product availability can depend on the customer’s account, geographic warehouse, and whether the item is designated as a stock or special-order product.

Types of Pediatric Tubes Buyers Can Purchase

EDTA Tubes

EDTA tubes are widely used for complete blood counts, platelet counts, reticulocyte studies, and other hematology testing. Pediatric EDTA tubes may be available in lavender, purple, or other manufacturer-specific cap colors. The tube must be filled and mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions because an incorrect blood-to-additive ratio can affect results.

Underfilling may increase the relative concentration of EDTA and can cause changes in cell morphology or other analytical problems. Excessive delay in mixing can also lead to clot formation. The laboratory should define an acceptable fill range for each tube type and test.

Serum Tubes

Serum tubes may contain a Clot Activator, a gel separator, or both. They are used for many chemistry, immunology, and serology tests. Pediatric serum tubes can reduce the quantity of blood required, but they may require sufficient Clotting Time before centrifugation.

Some pediatric serum tubes are designed for small-volume centrifuges or specific sample cups. Compatibility with the laboratory’s centrifuge, sample rack, analyzer, and aliquoting procedure should be confirmed before purchase.

Heparin Tubes

Heparin tubes, often containing lithium Heparin, are used for plasma chemistry and selected specialized tests. They may be available with or without a gel separator. The appropriate Heparin formulation depends on the test method and the receiving laboratory’s requirements.

Purchasers should not assume that all green-cap or Heparin tubes are equivalent. Lithium Heparin, sodium Heparin, gel composition, tube material, and draw volume can affect test suitability.

Citrate Tubes

Sodium Citrate tubes are used for coagulation testing. Because coagulation tests depend on a carefully controlled blood-to-Anticoagulant ratio, tube fill requirements are especially important. A small-volume citrate tube may be approved for specific pediatric applications, but not every pediatric tube is acceptable for every coagulation analyzer.

Before ordering citrate tubes, the laboratory should confirm the required fill volume and whether the tube has been validated for the patient population. In some cases, a short draw may be unacceptable, even when the sample appears adequate for other tests.

Capillary and Microcollection Tubes

Capillary and Microcollection Tubes are used with blood obtained through a heel stick or finger stick. These products may be preferred for neonates and young children when Venipuncture would require more blood or create additional distress.

Capillary tubes often require a specific sequence of collection, careful handling, and proper filling. The order of draw may differ from the process used for venous specimens. Staff members should follow the laboratory’s procedure and the manufacturer’s instructions, especially when collecting multiple specimens from one puncture.

How to Choose a U.S. Supplier

The lowest listed price is not always the lowest total cost. Pediatric tubes can be inexpensive individually, but an unsuitable tube may lead to rejected specimens, repeat blood draws, delayed treatment, and additional staff time. The purchasing decision should therefore include clinical, technical, regulatory, and logistical criteria.

1. Confirm the intended test. Identify whether the tube will be used for hematology, chemistry, coagulation, blood banking, microbiology, Toxicology, molecular testing, or another application.
2. Confirm the specimen type. Determine whether the test requires serum, plasma, whole blood, or capillary blood.
3. Compare nominal and minimum volumes. A tube’s stated capacity may not equal the minimum volume needed by the analyzer or laboratory procedure.
4. Verify additive and tube material. Confirm EDTA type, Heparin type, citrate concentration, Clot Activator, gel, plastic composition, and any special coating.
5. Check regulatory and quality documentation. Request the current instructions for use, product specifications, and applicable U.S. regulatory information.
6. Evaluate compatibility. Confirm compatibility with collection devices, centrifuges, racks, transport systems, aliquot devices, and analyzers.
7. Review packaging and expiration dates. Small-volume tubes may be sold in boxes of 25, 50, 100, or more. Order quantities should reflect actual consumption and shelf life.
8. Assess supply continuity. Ask about lead times, domestic inventory, backorder procedures, substitutions, and allocation policies.
9. Review lot traceability. The supplier should provide lot numbers and expiration information so the laboratory can investigate specimen or quality issues.
10. Calculate total delivered cost. Include shipping, handling, minimum-order fees, contract discounts, and the cost of emergency replenishment.

Regulatory and Quality Considerations

Blood collection tubes used for patient testing are part of a regulated clinical Workflow. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration oversees medical devices, including many blood collection containers and related accessories. The exact regulatory classification and documentation depend on the product and its intended use.

Clinical laboratories operating under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments must maintain procedures that support accurate and reliable testing. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administers CLIA, while accreditation organizations and state authorities may impose additional requirements. A laboratory should maintain records showing that collection tubes are appropriate for its testing procedures.

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute publishes widely used guidance for venous and Capillary Blood Collection, order of draw, specimen handling, and related practices. Laboratories commonly use CLSI guidance alongside manufacturer instructions and internal validation requirements.

Occupational safety also matters. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s bloodborne-pathogens requirements address exposure-control practices, sharps safety, labeling, and employee protection. Pediatric collection systems should be evaluated as part of the complete safety process, not only as individual tubes.

Facilities should establish a change-control process before switching brands. A new tube may look similar to an existing tube but behave differently during clotting, centrifugation, transport, or analyzer aspiration. Validation or verification may be needed before the product is placed into routine use.

Pricing, Contracts, and Supply Planning

Prices for pediatric tubes vary according to brand, additive, volume, packaging, sterile status, gel separator, specialty design, and purchase quantity. Commodity Microcollection Tubes may cost substantially less than specialty tubes with proprietary designs or analyzer-specific compatibility.

Hospitals often purchase through group purchasing organizations or health-system contracts. These arrangements can reduce unit costs, but they may also limit the number of approved manufacturers. A department that wants to use an alternative brand may need approval from laboratory leadership, infection prevention, nursing, Supply Chain, and the purchasing committee.

Small practices may not receive the same contract pricing as large hospitals, but they can still lower costs by standardizing a limited number of tube types. Overstocking should be avoided because expiration dates, product changes, and test-volume fluctuations can create waste.

Demand forecasting should consider seasonal changes, new pediatric services, outreach testing, emergency preparedness, and supplier lead times. A practical inventory system should identify minimum and maximum stock levels and provide an alert when inventory approaches the reorder point.

For critical pediatric products, a facility may maintain a qualified secondary supplier. The backup product should not be used without review, however. Differences in volume, additive, fill requirements, or analyzer compatibility can make an apparently similar substitute unsuitable.

Common Purchasing Mistakes to Avoid

1. Buying by cap color alone. Cap colors are not universal and may not identify the exact additive or intended use.
2. Confusing capillary tubes with venous tubes. The collection method and specimen characteristics may be different.
3. Ignoring minimum fill requirements. A small tube can still require a precise volume for VALID testing.
4. Assuming all tubes fit every analyzer. Sample cups, racks, aspiration probes, and dead-volume requirements differ among systems.
5. Purchasing research-use products for clinical testing. Intended-use labeling must match the laboratory application.
6. Failing to review expiration dates. Bulk purchases can create unnecessary waste when pediatric testing volume is low.
7. Accepting substitutions without laboratory approval. Distributor substitutions may differ in additive, material, or performance.
8. Overlooking shipping conditions. Tubes can be damaged by excessive heat, freezing, moisture, or rough handling.
9. Not documenting lot numbers. Lot traceability is important for investigations, recalls, and quality monitoring.
10. Focusing only on purchase price. Repeat collections and rejected specimens can cost more than the original tube.

Recommended U.S. Purchasing Workflow

A reliable purchasing Workflow begins with the laboratory’s test requirements. The laboratory director, technical supervisor, or designated quality professional should identify approved tube types and acceptable alternatives. Nursing and phlebotomy staff should then confirm that the products are practical for the patient population and collection technique.

Supply Chain staff can request quotes from the manufacturer and at least two distributors. The comparison should use exact catalog numbers and package quantities. Quotes should include estimated delivery time, expiration dating, freight, backorder policy, return conditions, and any available contract pricing.

Before full implementation, the facility should order a limited quantity for evaluation. Staff can assess labeling, ease of collection, fill behavior, Clotting Time, centrifugation, transfer, analyzer loading, and Specimen Rejection rates. Any evaluation should be documented according to the laboratory’s quality system.

After approval, the facility should monitor performance. Useful measures include rejected pediatric specimens, clotted EDTA samples, short citrate draws, hemolyzed specimens, recollection rates, delayed results, stockouts, and product-related complaints. Tracking these indicators helps determine whether a supplier or product is meeting operational needs.

Conclusion

U.S. buyers can obtain pediatric blood collection tubes from major manufacturers such as BD, Greiner Bio-One, SARSTEDT, and other medical-device suppliers. They can also purchase through distributors including McKesson, Cardinal Health, Medline, Henry Schein, Fisher Scientific, and Avantor or VWR. The best supplier depends on the facility’s testing requirements, contract structure, order volume, delivery needs, and validated laboratory procedures.

The most important purchasing decision is not simply selecting the smallest tube. The tube must contain the correct additive, support the required specimen type, meet minimum fill requirements, and work with the laboratory’s equipment and Workflow. Buyers should also verify regulatory documentation, lot traceability, expiration dates, shipping conditions, and product availability.

Because pediatric specimens are limited and repeat collections can be clinically significant, supplier selection should involve laboratory professionals as well as procurement staff. A carefully evaluated product, purchased through a dependable U.S. supply channel, can help reduce blood loss, improve specimen quality, control costs, and support timely pediatric patient care.

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