Walker's Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disease - 2 Volume Set, 6th Edition

ISBN: 9781607951810
ISBN-10: 1607951819
Copyright: 2018
Edition: 6th
Editor: Kleinman, Ronald E., Goulet, Olivier-Jean, Mieli-Vergani, Giorgina, Sanderson, Ian R., Sherman, Philip M., Shneider, Benjamin L.,
Doody's Expert Review    Score: 89
Reviewer: Vincent  Biank,  MD  (NorthShore University HealthSystem)
Description
This is the sixth edition of a comprehensive book on pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. This edition is unique in providing a more global presentation, with world leaders in pediatric gastroenterology discussing specific diseases, as compared to previous editions which reflected primarily just North American concerns. The previous edition was published in 2014.
Purpose
The purpose is to reflect the changes that have occurred in the field with the increasing evolution of subspecialties in pediatric gastroenterology and the growing importance of genetics and molecular biology in the pathophysiology of complex disease processes. For example, there is an entire chapter on the genetics of pediatric intestinal disorders.
Audience
The intended audience is pediatric gastroenterology fellows as well as practitioners in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. The chapters have been updated to include the most up-to-date literature, and all of the authors are leaders in their respective fields and recognized experts both locally and internationally.
Features
This is an excellent reference and review of the literature. The most appealing aspect for me is the breadth of topics this edition covers as well as the clarity of the writing and organization of the topics. Each chapter is carefully crafted to include the most up-to-date understanding of the pathophysiology of disease, including recent genetic associations. There is an appropriate number of illustrations and tables that help condense the material. The addition of a series of 5-10 board-like questions at the end of each chapter would help drive home some of the more important points.
Assessment
This is THE quintessential book of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. The authors have done a great job of identifying a variety of contributors from throughout the world who are leaders in the field. The writing is clear and the variety of topics has expanded such that the book accomplishes its objectives for the intended audience.
Review Questionnaire
Range Question Score
1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10
1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 8
1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5
1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4
1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 5
1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 3
1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 5
1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 5
1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5
1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 4
1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 5
1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 5
1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A
1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 8
1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 8