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Book Review Indian Pediatrics 2008; 45:610-611 |
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Essential Pediatric Nursing |
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Pediatric nursing has emerged as a specialty nursing in past few years. In coming years pediatric nurse practitioner is going to take up the independent role of providing comprehensive care to newborn, infant, toddler, preschool, school going and adolescents. The second edition of the book is divided into nine units covering the newborn, healthy child, nursing procedures and care, common health problems, congenital malformations, systemic disorders, child disability and welfare with the last one on IMNCI. The contributors are eminent pediatricians who have included the latest concepts and trends in pediatrics. The book has been written in a very simple manner keeping in mind the syllabus prescribed for child health nursing by the Indian Nursing Council (INC). Important information is highlighted in boxes. Practical skills required by a pediatric nurse in procedures like nasogastric tube insertion, O2 administration, photo therapy etc. have been appropriately covered. However, the surgical conditions covered need more depth giving due emphasis to pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and management etc. I hope this book will provide an overview of essential pediatric nursing to the general nursing students and understanding of the modern approaches to child care including IMNCI. Manju Vatsa,
Health status of a nation largely depends on quality of care provided to its children. Importance of social pediatrics in this regard cannot be overemphasized. However, for providing robust public health program clinical pediatrics needs to be strengthened. Thus, it is pleasant to see that in this multi-authored book large number of eminent pediatricians have contributed significantly. Due importance has been given to newborn and perinatal care in the beginning itself. Infant and young child feeding is also rightly highlighted with brief description of IMS Act, diarrhea, ARI, TB, HIV/AIDS, nutritional issues are well covered. However, a chapter on management of severe malnutrition would have enriched the book. Nutritional anemia, which often does not get adequate attention, has been dealt adequately; however, some of the laboratory tests usually done for research purposes could have been edited out. Impact of immunization program in India, in fact the lack of it has been brought out with facts and figures. This chapter could have incorporated suggestions on how to improve the routine immunization. The book has thoughtfully included some vector borne diseases including chikungunya and dengue; but, it is not clear why malaria, an important cause of morbidity and mortality in has been left out. Various national and school health programs for improving the health of the children and nutritional status would prove invaluable to the readers. Some of the topics like hearing loss in newborn and its impact on child development are interesting. Plight of neglected and physically challenged child has been aptly highlighted. Editor, a social pediatrician for the last 35 years has put in his rich experience throughout. He also points out that a book should be viewed as "assimilated repository of combined wisdom of clinical experience and research to date, which has more timeless and meaningful quality". The book judged in this context, should prove invaluable for all health professionals. Many chapters have adequate bibliography which should be an asset. Panna Choudhury,
The survival of high-risk newborn has increased with the availability of sophisticated technology. Care of these babies during neonatal period and afterwards requires special knowledge and skills. Contributors of this multi-authored book have made a sincere effort in conveying useful information to the readers on rather difficult aspects of neonatal care. The book has 36 chapters related to high-risk care of young infant. Chapters on neurodevelopmental assessment and follow up; and developmental evaluation, therapy and early stimulation are special attractions of the book. The editors are to be commended for this effort. Some of the chapters however do not provide the depth of knowledge required at the super-specialty level. List of references is missing at places though studies are mentioned in the text. The salient features in the text are highlighted in bold that may help the readers. Key points at the end of the chapters nicely summarize the text and help reader in memorizing the important facts related to the subject. This book is a laudable effort to disseminate the knowledge about the problems, management and follow up of the neonates at risk. The details available on neurodevelopmental issues in infancy make this book unique in itself, and should help the neonatologists and pediatricians. GK Malik,
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