What is an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test in children?
An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is a type of blood test. It measures the amount of antibodies in the blood. These substances work against your child's own body (autoimmune reaction).
Why is an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test done?
An ANA test is done to help identify problems with the immune system, such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Lupus.
- Polymyositis.
- Scleroderma.
- Sjögren's syndrome.
How is an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test done?
A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm.
How do you prepare for your child's antinuclear antibody (ANA) test?
In general, you won't need to prepare before your child has this test. Your doctor may give you some specific instructions.
What do the results of an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test mean?
- Autoimmune diseases can't be diagnosed by the results of the ANA test alone. Other tests are needed to help identify diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Some healthy people can have an increased amount of ANA in their blood. For instance, this can happen in some people with a family history of autoimmune disease. ANA levels can also increase as a person ages.
- Each lab has a different range for what’s normal. Your lab report should show the range that your lab uses for each test. The normal range is just a guide. Your doctor will also look at your results based on your age, health, and other factors. A value that isn’t in the normal range may still be normal for you.
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