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Book Review Indian Pediatrics 2006;43:283-284 |
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Bhave’s Textbook of Adolescent Medicine |
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This book is a comprehensive treatise, painstakingly planned, written and edited by some of the outstanding minds in the field of adolescent medicine. It is very creditable that such a monumental work has been brought out in a very short time. The paper, printing and the layout are very good. The tables and charts are very user friendly. Color photographs and the quality of production are very good. Each chapter at the end has a summary in the form of key points. If you do not have the time or the inclination to read a particular chapter in detail, at least go through the key points. Acronyms and mnemonics are given to help the student and the practitioner. References are in plenty, mostly the work of foreign authors. As the specialty would grow in India, I am sure the future editions would have more of the Indian flavor. First few chapters deal with the development of specialty in India, setting up of an adolescent clinic and the approach to an adolescent patient, growth and development of adolescent including psychosocial issue and menstrual problems. Nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, gender issues, legal and ethical issues and school mental health. These are must for any medical practitioner. Then there are chapters, which deal with various systems like cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, etc.Besides chapters on behavioral problems and psychiatric disorders there is a chapter on sports medicine. All these are important for a practitioner of adolescent medicine. There is hardly any aspect of adolescent health, which has not been dealt with in detail. At times there is so much detail that one would have wished for further pruning by the editors. A very reasonable price if you look at the production value s of the book.A must for all of us. Subhash C. Arya, | |
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Status of Tribal Health in Children | |
Editors: Pukhraj Bafna, M.K.C. Nair, Published by Committee on Tribal Child Health, Indian Academy of Pediatrics ( Available from: Dr. P. Bafna, Bafna Niwas, Ganj Lane, Rajnand-gaon 491 441, Chhattisgarh) 2005; Price: Not mentioned. India has one of the highest tribal population contributing to about 8% of total population i.e., approx 53 million as per 2001 census. Tribal children have higher morbidities due to common childhood illnesses. They also have specific genetically determined health problems. This book provides a comprehensive review of the work and experiences of several authors who have worked amongst the tribal in the country. It also provides a format for assessing nutrition and health amongst these children for those of the readers who may be interested in research in this area, Panna Choudhury,
Author Dr. C.M. Kammal; Paras Medical Publisher, Hyderabad, Pages 691, Price Rs. 375/-. ‘Drug Therapy in Pediatrics’ is an excellent book on pediatric therapeutics compiled under two sections. The first section, dealing with the special issue related to the use of medications in children, is extremely well laid out in simple and easy to understand language. Practical tips to be considered, while writing pediatric prescriptions in the OPD or ordering medicine in the in-patient wards, has been highlighted. The second section dwells on drug monographs. Around 350 out of the 550 odd drugs used in pediatrics have been detailed. The drugs have been cleverly arranged system-wise with some overlap. Most drug monographs are complete but do not have information on effects in pregnancy and lactation and manifestations and management of overdose and toxicity. In some monographs, adult doses have also been cited and doses for adolescents are conspicuous by their absence. Many herbal preparations like Liv 52 and Mentat and drugs like lactobacillus, S Bulardie, silymarin, which have doubtful use in pediatric practice could have been avoided. No book on drug therapy in pediatrics can ever be wholesome and ‘complete’ as newer drugs and therapies continue to be added to the armamentarium on an almost fortnightly basis. But this book by Dr. C.M. Kammal has made an attempt to analyse and systematically document available drug information. Jesson C. Unni,
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