The Progress in Medical Virology series presents in-depth reviews of topics of current interest in virology. Many of these are of primary interest to the virologist and would have appeal only to a limited number of clinicians. The 15th volume in this series, however, is an exception. Topical reviews of a number of areas relating to infectious disease problems and, more specifically, to problems of interest to the pediatrician are included in this volume.
In the first article, Blattner et al update their review of the role of viruses in congenital malformations (originally in the third volume, 1961). The more common viral illnesses that have been associated with congenital malformation, eg, rubella and cytomegalovirus, are considered, as well as the evidence for other viral agents that may less commonly cross the placenta and damage the fetus. A table summarizing experimental animal models provides an excellent reference source for the more