Problems in Paediatrics

THIS short book is one of a series of three volumes summarizing the principles of obstetrics, gynaecology and neonatal medicine. It is essentially a book of lists written by two doctors: "a medical adviser to a major pharmaceutical company," and "a physiological laboratory worker" respectively. The authors and their colleagues are said to have conceived this book during their 'shop-floor' experience whilst they were medical students and house officers. Before reading the book I wondered about the concept of two non-experts writing a book on neonatal care. Perhaps as tyros they would be able to see the wood behind the trees created by 'neonatal paediatricians.' Alas no, this book which is directed primarily at undergraduate students and senior nurses fails because it lacks the balance which comes with experience. Thus in chapter two, The Delivery Room, resuscitation of the newborn is described without mentioning the Apgar score. In contrast inborn errors of metabolism are covered in the full five pages of chapter 11 on Metabolic Problems. The text is broken up by numerous lists which makes the book very difficult to read. I shall continue to advise medical students and midwives who wish to read a short introductory text of newborn care to opt for "The Newborn Child" by DG Vulliamy. HLH