As Osler once said, ‘‘Read with two objects: first, to acquaint
yourself with the current knowledge on a subject and the
steps by which it has been reached; and second and more
important, read to understand and analyze your cases.’’
The fifth edition of the textbook of Pediatric Endocrinology

provides the reader with an opportunity to meet both objec-
tives, combining an update on the latest developments in

the field of pediatric endocrinology with providing practical
information on how this knowledge can be applied to
patient care.

Books are a reflection of their times. It is not surpris-
ing, therefore, that the evolution of pediatric endocrinology

over the past two decades is reflected by the changes that
have occurred in this textbook since its initial printing in
1985. The first edition of Pediatric Endocrinology consisted
of 27 chapters with 668 pages; the current edition consists
of two volumes containing 53 chapters with a total of more
than 1300 pages. The expansion in the size of the book
reflects the rapid expansion of knowledge that has occurred
in the field over the last 22 years. In 1985, only three
chapters with 60 pages were devoted to the diagnosis and
treatment of Type 1 diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis,
while Type 2 diabetes and obesity were not addressed.
The current edition has been split into two separate
but complementary volumes; the first volume covering

disorders of carbohydrate metabolism (obesity, T1DM,
T2DM, insulin resistance, and hypoglycemia) in 20 chapters

with 510 pages and the second volume dealing with ‘‘tradi-
tional’’ endocrinology (growth, adrenal, sexual, thyroid,

calcium, and fluid balance) in 33 chapters with 768 pages.
The increase in the number of chapters and pages devoted
to obesity and diabetes reflects the increased prevalence of

these disorders in the pediatric population and is con-
cordant with the patient distribution in many pediatric

endocrine practices.
This book, therefore, provides an in-depth coverage of
the disease states seen in the early 21st century. It provides
the readership with an opportunity to explore the wonders

of the science and the clinical breadth of pediatric endocri-
nology by just turning the pages. Osler wisely said, ‘‘To

study the phenomena of disease without books is to sail
an uncharted sea, while to study books without patients is
to not go to sea at all.’’ This book provides the sail, the boat,
and the rudder; the clinicians must determine how to apply
it to their patients.

Janet H. Silverstein, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A.

 

DOWNLOAD