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Clinical Guide to Paediatrics
Edited by Rachel Varughese and Anna Mathew
Published by Wiley Blackwell
Price: £49.95 (Print) / £44.49 (Digital)
This book is a chunky paperback which runs to 602 pages including the index. However, it is different from any other paediatric textbook I have seen in terms of its format. It is not a standard textbook; if anything, is aimed at more acute paediatric presentations. Medical students, junior doctors and GPs would certainly find this impressive book useful.
Each chapter covers a symptom or sign, accompanied by a definition, a diagnostic algorithm (often a diagram) and some differential diagnoses. This is followed by a short description of common diagnoses and key principles that cover history, examination, investigations and management. Common and dangerous diagnoses are highlighted, and the text is mainly list based. Many conditions involved in the potential diagnoses are covered by a few bullet points which cover the important basics in short segments. The quality of the images and text boxes are excellent and add to the ease of learning and problem solving.
For example, if we look at scrotal swelling in Chapter 6.3, the diagnostic algorithm diagram is clear, concise and in colour. The chapter divides scrotal swelling into painful and painless, with various features considered coming off a diagnostic tree. The differential diagnoses are considered with testicular torsion and tumours under dangerous diagnoses. Common diagnoses are considered accompanied by very useful diagrams. The diagnosis and conditions are well described in just a few bullet points.
Within the history and examination sections (divided into dangerous and common), clinical features and questions are suggested to help the clinician drill down to the diagnosis in a logical fashion. The investigations are divided into bedside, blood tests and imaging, and finally, management principles, again divided into dangerous and common diagnosis.
This innovative approach will offer good support to a front-line clinician dealing with often acute and sub-acute paediatric problems, helping them to reach the correct diagnosis and management in a logical fashion. The authors must have put a lot of work into developing this interesting and very useful structure and deserve plaudits for doing so. I particularly liked the diagnostic algorithms and the concise descriptions of many of the conditions covered.
There are some great chapters throughout the book; the Safeguarding Chapter (12.5) is short but superb and a must read. There is also a neat appendix at the end which lists internet links and guidelines for a number of conditions and diseases.
The book comes with a companion website with some limited material from the book, but I suspect a lot of end users will require the full text. The book is available in both print and digital formats, which could prove very useful on the frontline.
This excellent, innovative and practical book is keenly priced and for the right user, this could provide brilliant support for a clinician dealing with acute and sub-acute paediatric problems.
