Critical Problems in Pediatrics is a unique book that reviews 16 topics commonly problematic for the general pediatrician or family practitioner. In reading the chapter titles, one is initially struck by their apparent variety and lack of relatedness. For example, chapter 1 reviews sudden infant death syndrome, chapter 6 discusses treatment of Graves' disease in children, and chapter 13 addresses the issue of drug abuse. After reading the book, however, it appears that the topics were in fact chosen with care and are related by virtue of being critical issues for general practitioners that are not covered in depth by either medical textbooks or standard journals.
A number of authors contributed to this book, and most seem familiar with both academic and practical elements of the subjects they are reviewing. Clinical pathophysiology is well emphasized, current literature is reviewed in depth, and practical guidelines for diagnosis and therapy are included.