From Booklist
The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health, with articles by medical writers and health-care professionals and an editorial board of pediatricians with academic affiliations, has more than 600 alphabetically arranged, signed entries, ranging in length from 500 to 4,000 words. Half of the entries cover topics affecting children from conception through age 4, and the rest discuss topics affecting children from 5 to 18 years of age. These include diseases and disorders (Dyslexia, Mumps); developmental stages (Fine motor skills, Dental development); psychosocial issues (Gender constancy, Shyness); family life (^Allowance and money management, Family therapy); drugs (Acetaminophen, MMR vaccine); and medical procedures (Ear exam with an otoscope, Cerebrospinal fluid analysis). Articles on diseases and disorders include a definition, description, demographics, causes and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, prevention, and parental concerns. Entries for procedures cover the definition, purpose, description, risks, normal results, and parental concerns. Those covering drugs have the definition, description, general use, precautions, side effects, interactions, and parental concerns. Articles about development include a definition, description, and a discussion of common problems and parental concerns. All articles have colored boxes with definitions of key terms and resource lists. Color illustrations and photographs enhance the text. A glossary, appendixes with children's growth charts and information about pediatric medications, and an index complete the work. Each volume contains a complete list of entries and instructions for using the encyclopedia.
Although there is some overlap of coverage with The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (1999), The Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders (2004), and The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders (2005), all of the articles in The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health are new and written specifically about diseases, conditions, and issues affecting children. Topics such as day care, abandonment, and moral development appear beside the usual entries about food allergies and hand-eye coordination. The parental concerns section in each article is a unique feature. The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health is highly recommended for all health-sciences, consumer health, and public libraries. Barbara Bibel
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