This book gathers the research efforts of the last quarter century in pediatric epidemiology under a single cover for the first time. It draws on the experience of an international group of pediatric epidemiologists, all of whom are world authorities in their fields. In a consistent format they discuss biological considerations, patterns of occurrence, risk factors, and the impact of interventions for each type of disorder. The disorders reviewed include not only the old morbidity of childhood such as infections, birth defects, asthma, and cerebral palsy, but also the new morbidity: emotional problems, intentional and non-intentional injuries, and suicide. These reviews are grouped in five parts: perinatal disorders, infectious disorders, mental and behavioral disorders, injuries and violence, and chronic disorders. This book is aimed at a wide audience: pediatricians, epidemiologists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, health administrators, and those in maternal and child health care. One reason it succeeds is that the contributors have the personal expertise and background to enable them to cross the disciplinary lines between pediatrics and epidemiology.

Ivan Barry Pless' profile page

Ivan Barry Pless is at McGill University, Quebec.

"Unique.... The editor has assembled a group of international authors active in their fields and is to be congratulated for fostering a general continuity of style without redundancy....Consistently clear and concise....It provides a refreshing marriage of methodology and content that holds one's interest and keeps one searching for answers. Should be a standard reference for anyone involved in providing health care to children. It will be of particular interest to pediatricians, epidemiologists and health care professionals interested in childhood illness." --Joanne M. Langley, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Izzak Walton Killam Children's Hospital, Halifax, NS, Canadian Medical Association Journal

"The references listed at the end of each chapter are a valuable research tool on their own...Each chapter follows a similar format, which improves the usefulness of this book as a reference manual....a worthwhile book for the reference shelf of anyone with an interest in paediatric epidemiology...the book has a cohesiveness that encourages browsing as well as use as a reference tool."-- Mary Jane Platt, International Journal of Epidemiology

"Will be of at least as much interest to practicing pediatricians as to established or aspiring epidemiologists.... A remarkably comprehensive range of topics is included.... An ideal traveling companion.... Succeeds admirably, offering much of interest.... Brings together a vast amount of current information on common pediatric topics, much of which would be hard to find without extensive library searches. It is well written and easy to read; if you thought epidemiology as an esoteric academic specialty, dull as dishwater, read this book and think again." --George Russell, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, British Medical Journal

"With the help of 23 experts the editor has produced an excellent book on pediatric epidemiology for a wide readership, from novice to expert....Discusses diverse topics related to childhood disorders in chapters that have a common thread: critical reviews of epidemiologic investigations of individual disorders. It contains broad-based but not overly detailed information and provides ample references for future reading....Will not only be a timely addition to the libraries of readers interested in epidemiology but will also serve well as a general textbook for classes in maternal and child health." --Kwang-Sun Lee, M.D., University of Chicago, NEJM

"An excellent repository of epidemiologic insights into a wide spectrum of childhood disorders. The text opens with a superb review by Dr. Pless of general epidemiologic principles and methods....Virtually every chapter is authored by one of the two or three most knowledgeable authorities in the world, and a high and consistent standard is maintained throughout....The chapter on respiratory disorders is a gold-mine of information and sources....A chapter entitled 'Communicable Diseases'...provides a masterful illustration of 20th century triumphs in primary prevention....An excellent resource even for sophisticated students of the subject. As a compendium of up-to-date critical reviews of many topics in childhood epidemiology, [it] has no equal. It will prove useful for pediatricians and epidemiologists alike." Nigel Paneth, MD, MPH, Michigan State University, Epidemiology Monitor

"This book is a success, not only because it is the first such book dealing with children, but because it is so well-written and edited....[It] is a must for all academic general pediatricians and epidemiologists, medical officers of health, and those in government agencies dealing with child-health policy. It is a should for other pediatricians whose research interests go beyond the laboratory. It is a would-be-nice-to-have for pediatric residents." - Annals RCPSC, Vol. 27, no. 6, Sept. 1994

"A splendid addition to the library of the perinatal/pediatric epidemiologist as well as to the clinician. This book is written at an advanced level, but it is very easy to read and provides a wealth of information on prevalence, risk factors, and interventions for many of the major disorders of childhood." --Arden Handler, PhD, Univ of Illinois at Chicago, Doody's Journal Health Sciences Book Review

"Brings together and reviews the current knowledge about the occurrence, risk factors, prevention, and therapy of many childhood diseases." --American Journal of Public Health

"Fills a large gap in the general literature. Prior to its publication, there was no single volume in the English language focusing on pediatric epidemiology....Practitioners, students, and analysts of perinatal health care will find much of interest in this book."--Journal of Perinatology

"This book should be a standard reference for anyone involved in providing health care to children. It will be of particular interest to pediatricians, epidemiologists and health care professionals interested in childhood illness." - Canadian Medical Association Journal (15/09/94)

"This book is a success, not only because it is the first such book dealing with children, but because it is so well-written and edited....A must for all academic general pediatricians and epidemiologists, medical officers of health, and those in government agencies dealing with child-health policy." --William Feldman, MD, FRCPC, University of Toronto, Annals RCPSC