Customer Reviews

Acquired Damage to the Developing Brain: Timing and Causation (Hodder Arnold Publication)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is geared toward medicolegal issues as well as patient care. While the topics covered are relatively broad in scope, many details have been left out. The content of this book is only 217 pages.

Every topic in this book needs better development and more detail. Since PubMed is a free literature search resource, there is really no excuse for not expanding these topics. In particular, issues such as hypoxia, asphyxia, HIE, and fetal monitoring need to be covered more in depth.

Instead of using this book, researchers might want to consider Stevenson's "Fetal and Neonatal Brain Injury" (3rd Edition). This particular textbook is much more in depth, although it is far from perfect. In addition to Stevenson, classics such as Volpe's "Neurology of the Newborn" and Barkovich's "Pediatric Neuroimaging" are extremely helpful. Lastly, a well designed literature search in PubMed will provide volumes of up-to-date information.

One particular strength of this book is the attention given to medicolegal implications and legal proof-- approximately 15 pages in all. However, once again, this area needs greater development. In addition, researchers must keep in mind that this book was written by a British Neuropathologist and so the legal sections are only somewhat useful.

The reason that this book should receive 3 stars is because it deals with a topic that is often overlooked. However, content is lacking. Another edition would be both beneficial and appreciated, especially since many important studies have come out since the 2002 publication of this book. While interesting, this book should not be part of your medical or medicolegal library.

MedBlue Staff

This book represents a comletely new direction in writing about babies with brain injury. The circumstances of injury before and during birth are described in detail with reveiws of genetic issues, obstetric issues, neonatal signs and symptoms of birth asphyxia and early signs of cerebral palsy, results of radiology ultrasound MRI and neurophysiology of brain injured infants. There are superb illustrations and a chapter devoted to medicolegal issues. The physiology of asphyxia is discussed in an excellent chapter by the New Zealand experts in this area.

The book is a must for anyone dealing with cerebral palsy, birth asphyxia or medicolegal outcomes after such an unfortunate event