The sixth edition of Diseases of the Newborn represents a nearly complete revision of the previous updated edition published in 1984. The revision was necessary to make this time-honored textbook, first published 30 years ago, useful to the contemporary clinician. This was Dr Schaffer's original goal and the current editors have continued his emphasis. The addition of a new editor, Roberta Ballard, MD, and recruitment of more than 30 additional contributors, greatly increases the clinical experience that this update is based on. The widened geographic distribution of the contributors also adds strength in this regard.
The book retains its organization by organ systems, which I like, as well as some of the clinically useful photographs. However, there are some unusual exceptions such as having separate sections or parts devoted to patent ductus arteriosus and nonimmune hydrops, which seems to give these conditions organ system status. Another debatable organizational decision was