The foreword to Paediatric Trauma begins, "All of us have at some time asked ourselves who should treat the injured child. Should it be a paediatrician, a surgeon, an accident physician, or even an 'orthopaedic traumatologist'? Nobody seems to know." However, the book continues, "... a team led by orthopedic surgeons can." It follows that this text is written from the perspective of pediatric orthopedists in its emphasis on the management of orthopedic, neural, and vascular trauma. Injuries of the head, abdomen, and thorax are covered in 44 pages of the 240-page text.
Several approaches depart from common practice in the United States, many appearing in the chapter entitled "Critical Care." The authors recommend that the child who requires full exposure for examination be covered with a blanket to prevent rapid heat loss (page 47). Although this is acceptable for field care, a radiant warmer is generally preferred for hospital management.