Blood Collection
diabetes
BLOOD, DIABETES
Blood draws were optional, and children who opted not to participate in the blood draw could still participate in all other Texas Sprouts evaluations and programming. Eligible children and their families received flyers and text message reminders about the optional blood draw and were instructed to come fasting, having nothing to eat or drink other than water after midnight. Blood draws were conducted over a 1-week period at each school and took place before the start of the school day or on Saturday mornings. Blood samples were collected by certified phlebotomists in a private room at the schools. Children were asked 3 times if they were fasting before the blood draw, twice during the check-in process and once by the phlebotomist conducting the draw. Blood samples were placed on ice immediately after being drawn. Children received a $20 incentive for participation in the blood draw, and parents were incentivized to have their children participate in the blood collection by receiving a free diabetes screening.Directly following collection, whole blood was placed on ice and transferred to the laboratory on the University of Texas at Austin campus, where glucose was measured using a Glucose 201 analyzer (HemoCue America). Glycated hemoglobin AParents were contacted immediately by our study physician if their child’s FPG and HbA