European Journal of

The pioneers of pediatric medicine

Pediatrics

9 Springer-Verlag1991

Eur J Pediatr (1991) 150:141 034061999100001E

John Caffey (1895-1978) John Caffey was born in the state of Utah and spent most of his early years in Salt Lake City. He studied at the University of Michigan, where he gained his degree as Doctor of Medicine in 1919. After spending a number of years in Europe with the American Red Cross, followed by a period in Russia as a member of the Hoover Commission, Caffey's interest turned to pediatrics. His first appointment was at the old New York Babies Hospital (at 55th Street and Lexington Avenue); then he set himself up in private practice, but still maintained his links with the hospital. In 1929 he accepted a full-time position at the new Babies Hospital (at 167th Street and Broadway), where he was entrusted with the task of developing the X-ray service. In the years that followed, John Caffey was to become the grand master of pediatric Xray diagnosis. He worked exclusively in the Department of Pediatrics, but also had the best of working relationships with his colleagues in adult radiology. In 1941, an article by Caffey on pediatric radiology appeared in Golden's Diagnostic Radiology. In 1945, his classic work entitled PediatricX-ray Diagnosis was published; highly acclaimed worldwide, the book has been revised and reprinted many times. His work on benign cortical defects of bones provided important new insights. Caffey's reports concerning subdural hematomas in combination with skeletal lesions paved the way towards recognition of what we now know as the "battered child" syndrome. Together with Bill Silverman, he described a disorder known as Caffey's disease: infantile cortical hyperostosis. After retiring from his position at the New York Babies Hospital, Caffey moved to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where he was Associate Radiologist and Visiting Professor of Pediatrics and Ra-

diology. Fred N. Silverman was just one of his innumerable pupils. John Caffey was an honorary member of countless societies and associations and received a multitude of awards, including the John Howland Medal and Award (1965). He was an outstanding researcher and teacher, to whom pediatricians all over the world owe a great deal.

H.-R. Wiedemann, Kiel

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