Book R e v i e w

Indian J Pediatr 1996; 63:650

I

Pediatrics (Ed) Satya Gupta; New Age International Limited, New Delhi 110002, pages : 725, Price: 350/T h e 3rd e d i t i o n of Pediatrics edited b y Dr. Satya Gupta, ex-professor and head of t h e D e p a r t m e n t of P e d i a t r i c s at t h e M a u l a n a A z a d M e d i c a l College, N e w Delhi has a galaxy of eminent pediatricians as contributors. This obviously raises a lot of expectation from the book. When a b o o k is compiled to meet the requirements of both the under-graduate and post-graduate students, the editor has a difficult task of avoiding esoteric details and descriptions while ensuring that all what is essential is given its d u e coverage. Certain chapters in the book fulfill the expectations adequately. Gastroentestinal and h e m a t o l o g y systems are written in a lucid style and more distructive in having incorporated the relevant recent advances. N e p h r o l o g y and tuberculosis are written w e l l a n d r e f l e c t the e x p e r i o n c e of the respective authors in their fields. It w o u l d h a v e been desirable in the text book for under-graduates students the chapter on g r o w t h and development had rables for a n t h r o p o m e t r y which a student in p e d i a t r i c s w o u l d n e e d to c o n s u l t . Similarly, the section on vaccines in the chapter on preventive pediatrics merited a more d e t a i l e d discussion, keeping in mind its health relevance.

However, the book p r o v i d e s us with a m i x e d fare. C e r t a i n q u e s t i o n a b l e s t a t e m e n t s h a v e b e e n k e p t in the discussion on Neonatal Cholestasis, there is no mention of the H I D A scan in the d i a g n o s t i c w o r k - u p . S t a t e m e n t s like "Cortrcostiroids should be tried in the treatment once a diagnosis of hepatitis is m a d e since the patient experiences a sense of w e l l b e i n g , apart from the antinflammatory activity of the d r u g ...... " w o u l d alarm many a pediatrician. The discussion on 'kala azar' reads archaic. The dose of s o d i u m a n t e m o n y gluconate is different from any a d v i s o r y b o d y on infections. T h e r a p y w i t h urea stipamine is suggested. To the best of my k n o w l e d g e , urea stipamine has b e e n in clinical use for more than 15-20 years. It is r e c o m m e n d e d that dogs and h a m s t e r s be e h u m i n a t e d for p r e v e n t a t i o n of 'Kala azar'. The book has its quota of printing and syntax errors-some of which are jarring e.g. the dose of mebendazole m e n t i o n e d . T h e p r e s e n t a t i o n of t h e b o o k is pleasant, the printing of good quality. The black and white photographs at the end of the book are of good quality and reflect the rich clinical experience of the editor. Dr.

Yogesh Jain

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS, New DethL