Book Review

Immunologic Disorders in Infants and Children

N Engl J Med 1996; 335:212-213July 18, 1996

Article

Immunologic Disorders in Infants and Children
Fourth edition. Edited by E. Richard Stiehm. 1084 pp., illustrated. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1996. $260. ISBN: 0-7216-4948-3

Aberrations of the immune system are of great importance in clinical medicine. Our knowledge of basic immunology and its clinical application is expanding rapidly. Immunologic Disorders in Infants and Children was first published in 1973. Publication of this fourth edition is extremely timely.

The book is well written, and its scope is broad, covering the development and function of the immune system (chapters 1 through 8), the immunodeficiency states (chapters 9 through 19), and the immunologic aspects of pediatric illnesses (chapters 20 through 32). The first part is an excellent review of the components of the immune system. The second part describes the genetic basis of immunodeficiency states and their treatment, including transplantation. The third part covers immunologic aspects of various rheumatologic, dermatologic, and allergic conditions.

The chapters have been written by leading clinicians and investigators. Each chapter contains excellent tables, diagrams, and photographs. The reference lists are extensive.

Recent advances in molecular genetic studies of X-linked gammaglobulinemia and the hyper-IgM syndrome and in the use of bone marrow or stem-cell transplantation to reconstitute the immune system in some immunodeficiency states are well covered in this book. The excellent chapter on transplantation discusses various therapeutic options and includes data from a worldwide survey of the use of bone marrow transplantation for the primary immunodeficiency conditions. The chapters on immunologic aspects of pediatric illnesses contain current information about the role of the immune system in several clinical situations, such as Kawasaki's disease and its treatment with high-dose intravenous immune globulin.

Edward J. O'Connell, M.D.
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905