Author: S. Nagabhushana and H. Veenamba. Bangalore, Pages 36, Price Rs. 25/- Source of partial funding-M/s Natco Pharmaceuticals Hyderabad.
There is no doubt that apart from general health education, guidance to parents about various aspects of the child's disease is an important part of the comprehensive manage-ment of a case. Written material giving nece-ssary facts is a good idea, presuming of course that the parents are literate and conversant with the language used. The IAP Parent Education Cell has already published a set of such booklets including 'Parents' guide for asthma in children'.
"Wheezy child-Parents' guide" has text material of about 24 pages containing simple information about wheezing, triggering factors, recognition, prevention and basic plan of treatment. The language is simple and clear. The booklet has an easy-to-read layout and is well illustrated though the quality of printing of some illustrations is not up to the mark. Most of the guidelines are straightforward and non-controversial. Some specific details regarding yogasans, dietary advice and water therapy, etc. have been contributed presumably by experts in the alternative systems of medicine. Since parents sometimes do try these systems with a hope to get 'cure', there is a need to have a consensus developed through the Respiratory Chapter of
IAP.
Some important dos and don'ts and commonly asked questions by parents regarding use of mosquito coils, air conditioners and coolers; maintenance of MDIs and rotahalers; and fears specifically about safety of inhaled steroids, could be included in the next edition.
The booklet will be useful for parents to get basic information about asthma and prime them for a more meaningful discussion with their doctor. However, considering that only a small fraction of our population can read the English language, translation into different regional languages is the next logical step.
Daljit Singh,
Dean Academics,
Professor and Head,
Department of Pediatrics,
Dayanand Medical College and
Hospital, Ludhiana 141 001,
Punjab, India.
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