SummaryTwo controlled trials of the use of a biochemical profile were conducted in a children's hospital to see whether the profile led to diagnoses which would not otherwise have been made and to see what effect it had on the number of extra requests for pathological investigations and the length of stay in hospital. Altogether 2816 children were examined and 13 new diagnoses made. There was a significant increase in the total number ofpathology requests but the profile did not alter the length of stay in hospital. We conclude that the profile made only a small contribution to the overall care of the patients.
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