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Book Reviews

Indian Pediatrics 2005; 42:630-631

Pediatric Nephrology

 

Pediatric Nephrology. Editors: Dr. R. N. Srivastava and Dr. Aravind Bagga. Publishers: M/s. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd., New Delhi, India, 4th Edition. 2005. Price: Rs. 495/-

Pediatric Nephrology is one of the important and popular subspecialty in Pediatrics. Advances in the diagnosis and management of various pediatric renal problems should reach everyone concerned with renal care in children. Books in Pediatric Nephrology and various components of pediatric renal care is made available with the aim of spreading the experience and advances to everyone concerned with it. This book on ‘Pediatric Nephrology’ by two eminent senior pediatric nephrologists of India in its 4th Edition is very much needed to attain the above goal. This book is already popular among pediatric postgraduates and practicing pediatricians for its simple but elegant presentation. On going through the book one can appreciate the inclusion of recent advances in every chapter compared to its third edition, which is correctly reflected in an increase of about 100 pages over its previous edition. Each component of Pediatric Nephrology is well dealt by experienced authors. Color photographs are new additions to this book. Topics on anatomy, physiology, evaluation of renal function and imaging and diagnostic modalities are well dealt with, in a simple and understandable way. All essential aspects of clinical nephrology including developmental anatomy to malignant disorders are discussed in a descriptive way by the authors. Neonatal nephrology is discussed from the pediatric nephrologist’s angle to make this book a full and complete reference on pediatric nephrology. Algorithmic approaches and key messages in every topic make this book a special one. Management of renal failure in children, childhood transplantation and common topics like urinary tract infection are some of the examples wherein one can note that the subject is dealt in its depth. We recommended this book on Pediatric Nephrology for every medical personnel interested in learning finer aspects of pediatric renal medicine. We congratulate the editors and the publishers for their wonderful work for bringing out such a nice and useful book.

M. Vijayakumar,
Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist,
Chennai Pediatric Kidney Foundation,
Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., Chetput,
Chennai, Tamilnadu 6000 031, India.
E-mail: [email protected]

Handbook of Pediatric Drug Therapy and Immunization

"Handbook of Pediatric Drug Therapy and Immunization". Author R.K. Suneja. Publisher: Elsevier a division of Reed Elsevier India Private Limiteds, Ist Edition, 2005, Pages 1-359. Price: Rs. 250/-.

This book is an excellent pocket companion for pediatricians, residents as well as private practitioners, obviously written by a person of immense clinical experience and expertise. Written in simple style it provides standard guidelines for a wide range of pediatric conditions encountered in one's day to day practice, in the outdoor, indoor as well as intensive care setting. An excellent index provides instant retrieval of the condition being searched for. There are, however, some issues which need to be addressed:

(i) Group B Streptococci are listed a "common organisms" in community acquired Neo-natal Sepsis and Meningitis and therefore it is recommended that empiric initial therapy should include Ampicillin + Gentamycin or ampicillin + Cefotaxim. Since the book is addressed to Indian & South Asian professionals, as the Preface indicates, it is necessary to point out that GBS has virtually never been isolated from our country where Gram negative bacilli and Staphylococci predominate. Almost all of these have been found to be Ampicillin resistant.

(ii) In acute gastroenteritis the use of hypoosmolar ORS, now universally recommended by the WHO, should be recommended in the next edition;

(iii) In the treatment of childhood tuberculosis the category-wise recommendations of the RNTCP may be incorporated in the next edition;

(iv) Spelling mistakes in the first few pages of the book need to be corrected.

Overall, a very useful handbook which every pediatrician must possess.

D. Shivpuri,
Professor of Pediatrics,
S.M.S. Medical College,
Jaipur, Rajasthan,
India.
E-mail: [email protected]

Clinical Pediatric Companion

Clinical Pediatric Companion. Author: Jaydeep Choudhury. Publisher: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, pp. 1-342. Rs. 295/-.

Great amount of effort has been put to compile frequently asked questions during ward rounds and in the examinations and the answer discussed by the teachers on relevant topics.

The book has a good collection and classification of clinical cases frequently discussed in the examinations. Discussion on stations like emergencies, drugs, X-rays, instruments and spotter is appropriately dealt. The printing and layout is good.

The author doesn't seem to have gone into the details of the topics and the discussion is very vague. Discussion mainly deals with the scheme of examination. No attempts have been made to analyze the signs and symptoms. Relevant investigations are mentioned without going to analysis. Discussion on management is inadequate and incomplete.

This book is not exactly a clinical method nor a handbook. However, the students appearing for examinations for last minute brush up will find the book useful. Citation of reference is an area, author should seriously consider for subsequent editions.

Shivananda,
Director,
Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health,
Bangalore,
Karnataka,
India.
 

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