Primary Article

Is the Pediatric Preoperative Hematocrit Determination Necessary?

Authors: MICHAEL JOHN BARON, MD, MPH, JOEL GUNTER, MD, PAUL WHITE, PhD, MD

Abstract

The usefulness of the preoperative hematocrit determination as a screening test before outpatient pediatric surgical procedures has been questioned. It has been suggested that a careful history and physical examination are of greater importance than routine laboratory tests in determining a child's fitness for surgery. We evaluated the utility of preoperative measurement of hematocrit as a screening test for surgical fitness in healthy children having a variety of elective outpatient surgical procedures.

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