Handbook of Pediatrics.Author: Vijay P. Makhija. Paras Medical Publishers. Hydera-bad, 2001;
pages 448; price Rs. 175.00

Learning requires a multi-pronged strategy and at times, answer to a specific problem sticks in mind for a longer time as compared to the same information provided without context. Viewed from this point of view, the Handbook of Pediatrics can become a good learning companion. Its 448 pages contain over 2000 questions and their answers covering almost all systems. The questions seem to have been chosen after much thought and represent some of the common problems that a pediatrician is likely to face. In fact, many a times, a direct answer to these questions may not be easily available from the standard texts. This should come handy for practitioners who may have a limited access to vast reading material.

The book contains a section on ‘star question’, which may be useful for post-graduates as well as for brighter under-graduates, especially during their preparations for the viva-voce and other academic activities like quiz. Yet another prominent section is devoted to most probable diagnosis and deals with the clinical and laboratory features in the form of case histories. The section features case summaries of some uncommon pediatric disorders as well.

Though the question answer format makes the book interesting, it also imposes certain limitations. Contrary to its title, the book obviously can’t be used as a first reading material. The focus on questions also masks some of the important information and limits the range of information. Only 1 question on renal failure, 5 on leukemias and 6 on puberty underscore this point. At times, the book tends to lose its focus of the suitable audience for which it is intended.

However, it is worth a reading by practising pediatricians and postgraduate students.