Pediatric Neurology: A Color Handbook

J.F. Bale Jr., J.L. Bonkowsky, F.F. Filloux, G.L. Hedlund, D.M. Nielsen, P.D. Larsen. Pediatric Neurology: A Color Handbook. London, England: Manson Publishing Ltd; 2012 (352 pages) ISBN 978-1-84076-134-4

This book primarily addresses trainees in pediatric neurology and experienced practitioners as most children “in the real world” present to someone other than a pediatric neurologist.

The text is divided into two sections: The first section, Core Concepts, covers “basics” for the neurological examination, differential diagnosis, and management of neurological conditions of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. This part includes six chapters: The Pediatric Neurological Examination, Neuroimaging, Electrophysiological Evaluation, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Genetic Evaluation, and Newborn Screening and Metabolic Testing. The second part, A Problem-Based Approach to Pediatric Neurological Disorders, explains symptom- and sign-based diagnostic strategies. It is divided into 17 chapters, including Disorders of Head Size and Shape, Disorders of Cranial Nerves, Disorders of Peripheral Nerves, Disorders of Gait and Balance, Disorders of the Newborn, Acute Focal Deficits, Headaches, Hypotonia and Weakness, Movement Disorders, and Pediatric Neurological Emergencies.

The text is easily readable. It is concise and restricted to core information and key points; consequently, prevalent conditions (as closed neural tube defects and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease) are also covered in “only” a few lines.

The book includes more than 400, mostly colored, illustrations (facial appearance of children, dysmorphic signs, skin anomalies, neuroimaging, electroencephalogram recordings, histological specimens, etc). A total of 50 tables provide overviews of relevant disorders, selected causes of abnormal signs and symptoms, and differential diagnoses. Plenty of text boxes draw attention to key point (e.g., “Rules for determining the cause of diplopia,” “Macrocrania (large head) can be caused by megalencephaly, hydrocephalus, extra-axial fluid collections, or a thickened calvarium”). For each chapter, further reading and bibliography (up to 10 references) are listed.

The authors' goal of providing relevant information to trainees and primary care providers is achieved. The book is a good “starter” in the broad field of pediatric neurology, requiring access to more comprehensive texts for the “second course.”