Book Review

Principles of Child Neurology

N Engl J Med 1997; 336:591February 20, 1997

Article

Principles of Child Neurology
Edited by Bruce O. Berg. 1799 pp., illustrated. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1996. $125. ISBN: 0-07-005193-3

Dr. Raymond D. Adams, coauthor of the authoritative textbook Principles of Neurology (4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1989), is, along with Dr. Bruce O. Berg, a revered founder of child neurology. In an interview in 1990, Adams avowed that his greatest contribution to child neurology was fostering the development of the child neurologist–neuroscientist. Many of his trainees and a growing number of academic child neurologists well grounded in clinical neurology have contributed to Berg's Principles of Child Neurology. The book presents essential topics, such as epilepsy and disorders of consciousness and metabolic and degenerative disorders, in a masterly manner. Moreover, topics not regularly included in general textbooks, such as maternal substance abuse and neurologic complications of cancer therapy in children, are thoroughly covered.

Part 1 includes the essentials of clinical examination and a comprehensive update of studies such as positron-emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy with diffusion-weighted imaging, and tests of short latency of somatosensory evoked potentials. Part 2 authoritatively discusses disorders of the senses, consciousness, intellect, and neuroendocrine system. Part 3 provides an elegant and understandable update of molecular neurogenetics and neuroembryology. Part 4 gives a definitive tour of the main categories of pediatric neurologic diseases, with each section presented by leading subspecialists. Part 5 provides a comprehensive discussion of neuromuscular diseases. Part 6 takes up autism and mood disturbances in children.

Minor criticisms are that migrainous disorders are discussed without the framework of the neurovascular hypothesis, neonatal neurology is given a somewhat cursory review, and pediatric psychopharmacology, such as for anxiety and behavioral disorders, is not presented. Overall, however, there is minimal overlap among the topics, the style is coherent, the tables are plentiful and practical, key references are provided, and clinical pearls abound.

Alyssa A. LeBel, M.D.
Allegheny University, Philadelphia, PA 19102