When preparing blood smears with blood from newborns, you notice that the smears are usually shorter than using blood from older children. What may be causing this to happen?

A. The use of the heel stick procedure causes the blood to thicken.
B. Newborns normally have higher hematocrits than older children.
C. Capillary blood is thicker than venous blood.
D. Babies usually cry during blood collections.

Answer: B