IAP Textbook of Pediatrics. Editor-in-Chief Dr. A. Parthasarathy, Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, New Delhi. Third Edition 2006, pages 1251, Rs. 895. An Official Publication of IAP.

IAP Textbook of Pediatrics tries to impart both cognitive as well as psychomotor domains of medical education and prepares its reader to practice pediatric medicine based on broad consensus and scientific evidence. Managed by two academic editors and eight senior editors, the book has 36 chapters written by 34 chapter editors and 199 authors.

The chapters and their contents have been well chosen, some times symptoms have been taken as topics, which make this book interesting and best suited to practitioners of pediatric medicine. Innovative chapters like ‘Safe Injection Practices’ and ‘Searching and Researching On-line’ marks this book apart from other pediatric texts. By providing knowledge on common pediatric procedures and normal laboratory values, an attempt has been made to make this book a complete compendium of pediatric management.

Indian Academy of Pediatrics needs to be congratulated for bringing out such a book, which would prove invaluable in pediatric education for students. All authors did excellent job and provided ‘must know’ and ‘may know’ information on the topics assigned to them. However, in a multi-authored large textbook, it is not unexpected to find duplication, repetition and at times conflicting information on some aspects. It is pertinent to point out some of them so that these minor glitches can be ironed out in subsequent edition.

Immunization has been discussed in three chapters but a ready reckoner of the National Immunization and IAP Immunization Schedule is conspicuous by its absence. A section on ‘Immunization in Special Situations’ (immunocompromized state, travelers, defaulters) would have been desirable.

Two different growth charts have been depicted in chapter 4 (Indian standard) and chapter 36 (New CDC). There are differences in anthropometrics values in all age groups. Which of these charts should be used in practice is not described. The reader will be free to use any of them. Incorporating the new WHO growth charts of breastfed infants could have helped in this dilemma.

The book weighs 3.9 kg. Though its paper, printing, tables and figures are eye soothing, its bulk and weight require upright reading.

I recommend this book as a must to all under graduate and post graduate students and pediatricians. Health managers and health administrators will also find this book useful.

M.M.A. Faridi,
 Professor and Head,
Department of Pediatrics University
College of Medical Sciences,
Delhi, India.
and President, IAP Delhi State.