b_shouman

Gastroenterology & Nutrition: Neonatology Questions and Controversies Edited by Richard A. Polin Publisher: Saunders Elsevier Pub. Date: 2008 ISBN: 978-1-4160-3160-4. Included in series Neonatology: Questions & Controversies Gastroenterology and Nutrition: Neonatology Questions and Controversies, this book with its 19 chapters in 3 sections had aptly incorporated clinical neonatal gastroenterology and nutrition with up-to-date research. The section of scientific overview and developmental perspectives provides the reader with a better understanding of the developmental biology of the gastrointestinal tract, the intestinal microbiome and the relationship of intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction to intestinal and more generalized disease. The section on nutrition describes nutritional needs of the premature infant and methods for supporting these needs. Chapters in section 3 discuss pathophysiology and treatment of diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis, cholestatic liver disease and short bowel syndrome and they have given completeness to a book like this, on neonatology. The editors must be congratulated for getting contribution from so many authors in the fields of Paediatrics, Paediatric gastroenterology, nutrition, Obstetrics & Gynecology, biochemistry, molecular biology, Surgery, pathology and NICU. Each author was carefully selected to cover his topic in a perfect way. The main strength of the book is the range of subjects it covers. This array of topics should make the book appealing to almost anyone who is interested in neonatal gastroenterology and nutrition. Those who are interested in the genetic and molecular mechanisms will find many in each chapter of the book. However, further editions might incorporate evidence-based practices at the end of each chapter. The consulting editor of this book is Prof. Richard A Polin, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, Director division of Neonatology, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, New York; has published more than 95 original papers, 55 editorial reviews and chapters, 17 books (including Fetal and Neonatal Physiology, Workbook in Practical Neonatology, Pediatric Secrets, Fetal and Neonatal Secrets, Current Pediatric Therapy, Pocket Neonatology) and more than 150 abstracts. He is an editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ publication, “Grand Rounds”. He is one of the pioneers of neonatology, an influential teacher to neonatal students, residents and colleagues all over the world. The editor of this book is Prof. Josef Neu, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; Director of Neonatology Fellowship Training Program and has research interests in developmental gastroenterology, biochemical nutrition of the neonate and barrier function of the GI tract. Overall this is an excellent edition and would become a much-interesting book on neonatal gastroenterology and nutrition. Basma Osama Shouman, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Prof. of Pediatrics/Neonatology Mansoura University Children’s Hospital Mansoura 35516 Egypt