Parker and Zuckerman have collected the opinions and practices of almost 100 physicians and psychologists in a concise and practical handbook of primary care. The 89 chapters cover almost every question likely to confront the primary care physician of children in only 411 pages of text and 19 pages of appendix.
One section of the book is devoted to fundamentals of behavioral and developmental pediatrics, followed by the largest section of specific child problems, and concluding with a section designated as family issues.
Each chapter follows a pattern: description of the problem, areas of concern, advice and guidance for families, and a bibliography for parents and professionals. The problems (chapters) range from diagnosing and managing behavioral problems, anorexia, bulimia, hyperactivity, pain, and abuse, to abdominal pain, fragile X syndrome, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and dysmorphic infants and children.
The chapters on colic, toilet training, encopresis, nightmares, and sleep problems especially